Hist 2206 Origins of Great Traditions - Kennesaw State University

HISTORY 2206 – ORIGINS OF THE GREAT TRADITIONS
SYLLABUS
Dr. Shealy
Nota Bene: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. It is
up to the student to keep up with any announced changes in the schedule of
assignments and readings.
Most class sessions will be dedicated to the discussion of texts, which is the primary
focus of History 2206. This means that much of the course content is dependent on
students and their degree of preparation. Over the course of the semester, however, the
instructor and guest lecturers will deliver several lectures that are designed to provide an
overview of a course theme. These class meetings are indicated by (L) in the syllabus
below.
EXAMINATIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A mid-term and a final exam are the only examinations. These will be a combination of
short answer and essay questions. Their scheduled dates are noted on the reading assignment
page. Each will count as 40% of the student’s final grade. At the discretion of the
instructor, the final may be comprehensive.
Every student should visit a site relevant to one of the great traditions and write a three
page refection paper on his/her experience. These sites may include churches,
synagogues, and mosques (preferably outside the student’s own religious tradition), and
museums (Emory University’s Carlos Museum for example.) The reflection paper will
count as 5% of the student’s final grade. The remaining 15% of the student’s grade will
be based on a paper based on the tradition that the student found most interesting in the
course. Sources may include the assigned text, site visits, and additional research. The
topic must be cleared with the instructor. The paper should be 8-10 pages in length,
typed, grammatically correct, and complete with appropriate citations and bibliography.
The paper is due on 19 April.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Research has indicated that 40-60% of American college students reported cheating on
examinations in college. Over half the students who reported cheating in college were
repeat offenders who used a variety of techniques to achieve their objective. While I
assume the best of all students, I am well aware of these realities.
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty,
including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, etc. Incidents of alleged

academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the
University Judiciary Program, which include either an “informal” resolution by the
faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which
may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension
requirement.
ATTENDANCE
While there is no mandatory attendance policy, students are expected to attend class and
participate in class discussion. Material discussed in class will be emphasized on exams,
and active participation will be considered in the student’s favor when final grades are
determined. In borderline cases, such participation could make the difference between a
lower letter grade and a higher one.
CONFERENCES
Students may talk with the instructor at any time by appointment. My office is Social
Science 4128. Office phone: 770-423-6234. E-mail: hshealy@kennesaw.edu
READING ASSIGNMENTS
11 January Introduction. Reading Primary Sources
13 January Introduction to India (L) HR 40-46
18 January Holiday
20 January Hinduism HR 61-70, 155-159, 183-185
25 January Buddhism HR 70-76, 174-181
27 January Mesopotamia & Egypt HR 13-24
1 February Introduction to China (L) HR 24-32
3 February Confucius HR 85-87, 90-96, 145-149
8 February Daoism HR 87-90, 96-102
10 February Buddhism in East Asia HR 305-310
15 February Hebrews/Monotheism HR 51-60, 188-195
17 February Greeks: the Polis (L) HR 46-50, 102-111
22 February Greek Art and Thought HR 111-121

24 February Plato HR 115-119, “Allegory of the Cave”
1 March Mid-term Exam
3 March Aristotle/Hellenistic World HR 127-129
5 March Last Day to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty
8 – 10 March Spring Break
15 March Roman World HR 130-139
17 March Christianity (L) HR 196-200
22 March The Early Church HR 200-208
24 March Church & State HR 214-216, 224-231
Canon & Heresy
29 March Research Day
31 March Intro to Islam (L) HR 232-242
5 April Islam HR 243-253
7 April Shia, Sunni, Sufi HR 253-263
12 April Intro to Medieval Europe (L)
14 April Early Middle Ages Life of Charlemagne
19 April High Middle Ages Abelard: History of My Calamities
21 April Travel, Encounter, Exchange HR 419-432, 441-447
26 April Africa TBA
28 April Africa TBA
5 May Final Exam