Western Civilization and the Environment

Lecture and Reading Schedule

Spring 2012 ~ Unit 1        

 

                       

 

 

Lecture Objectives

 

 

 

 

Please note: this schedule is subject to change

 

Session

Topic

Readings

Wednesday, 1-18

Introduction

Friday, 1-20

Defining Western Civilization & Introduction to Guns, Germs, and Steel

Diamond: Preface, Prologue, Ch 1

Monday, 1-23
last day to add is Tuesday, 1-24

Collision of Cultures

Diamond: Ch 2, 3

Wednesday, 1-25

Guns, Germs, Steel video
National Geographic/PBS Documentary, Episode 2: Conquest

Transcript from PBS
this is not required reading, but it may help with note-taking
suggestion: start reading ahead in Diamond to prepare for the 1-31 class

Friday, 1-27

Food Production

Diamond: Ch 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Monday, 1-30

Animals, Axes, & Germs

Diamond: Ch 9, 10, 11

Wednesday, 2-1

Guns, Germs, Steel video
Episode 1- Out of Eden

Transcript from PBS
this is not required reading, but it may help with note-taking

Friday, 2-3

Exercise & Discussion 1
video versus text

Monday, 2-6

Writing & Technology

Diamond: Ch 12, 13

Wednesday, 2-8

Government & Religion

Diamond: Ch 14

Friday, 2-10

Guns, Germs, Steel video
Episode 3: Into the Tropics

Diamond: Ch 19
Transcript from PBS
this is not required reading, but it may help with note-taking

Monday, 2-13

Exercise & Discussion 2
Strongest/Weakest Chapter

suggestion: start reading the Blaut text

Wednesday, 2-15

Project Administration Day
** Very Important Class Session**
Learn about the options, choose your project and sign up

suggestion: start reading the Blaut text

Friday, 2-17

Historiography and A Critique of Diffusionism

Blaut: 1;
Blaut online review of Diamond
Blaut, J. M. 1999. “Environmentalism and Eurocentrism: A Review Essay.” Geographical Review 89, 3 : 391-408.

Monday, 2-20

The Myth of the European Miracle

Blaut: 2

Wednesday, 2-22

Blaut's Theory of the Rise of the West

Blaut: 3, 4, 5

Friday, 2-24

(EX 1-NRAH-204)

Exercise & Discussion 3
Critique and Comparison
of Diamond & Blaut

Monday, 2-27
project memo due

contingency session ~ TBA

Wednesday, 2-29

Review

Friday, 3-2

First Exam

 

**Project Due Date is Friday April 6th**