 At the ruins of the Roman city of
Nyssa in Turkey
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| CURRICULUM VITAE (updated January 2017) |
| COURSES OFFERED |
| RESEARCH AND WEBLOG |
| IMPORTANT LINKS |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
History 208 (World Civilizations, Origins to 1500)
(scroll down for readings and powerpoint presentations)
Description: This course examines major issues that have shaped the human experience from the beginnings of human civilization (ca. 10,000 B.C.E.) to roughly 1500 C.E., when the European voyages of exploration began to tie the world together in a new pattern of global interrelatedness. The main emphasis of History 208 focuses on a comparative study of civilizations, but will also emphasize a growing pattern of integration that linked different civilizations at regional, if not yet global levels. Our goal is to assimilate factual knowledge about human civilizations through the assessment of their historical records.
NOTE: You will need a username and password to access course files. If you are registered for the course and cannot get it from WebCampus, please e-mail me so I can get it to you as soon as possible.
Course Syllabus, Study Guides and Extra Credit Assignment
(Study Guide links will be posted in the week before exams)
History 208 Course Syllabus [PDF]
Midterm Study Guide [PDF] (AVAILABLE NOW!)
Final Exam Study Guide [PDF] (AVAILABLE NOW!)
Extra Credit Assignment [PDF] (AVAILABLE NOW!)
Course Readings by date and format
(.pdf = Adobe Acrobat format document)
** Note #1: The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view readings; if you do not have it installed on your computer, a copy can be downloaded [HERE].
** Note #2: Instructor responses to the reading assignments can be found on the WebCampus "Announcements" tab
** Note #3: Please note that dates given here may be subject to change in class based on circumstances.
0. Origins of human civilizations
Due February 2 @ 11:00am; practice session [PDF]
Websites: [Science Magazine], [Smithsonian], [Anthropology.net]
1. Early Mespotamia--Sumerian and Babylonian
Due February 4 @ 11:00am [PDF]
2. Culture of Ancient Egypt
Due February 9 @ 11:00am [PDF]
3. The Cosmopolitan Near East in Ancient Times
Due February 11 @ 11:00am [PDF]
4. The Achaemenid Persian Empire
Due February 23 @ 11:00am [PDF]
5. Early Chinese Civilizations and Dynasties
Due February 25 @ 11:00am [PDF]
6. Chinese Unification under the Qin and Han Dynasties
Due March 2 @ 11:00am [PDF]
7. Classical Greece--Society and Culture
Due March 4 @ 11:00am [PDF]
8. The Roman Empire
Due March 9 @ 11:00am [PDF]
9. Ancient India--Religions and Traditions
Due March 16 @ 11:00am [PDF]
10. Empires in the Indian Subcontinent
Due March 18 @ 11:00am [PDF]
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March 23 -- FINALIZED DATE FOR MIDTERM, IN CLASS
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11. The Rise of the Great Silk Routes
Due March April 6 @ 11:00am [PDF]
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March 30 & April 1 -- SPRING BREAK HOLIDAY, NO CLASS
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12. Christianity and the Spread of World-Religions
Due April 8 @ 11:00am [PDF]
13. Foundations of Islam
Due April 15 @ 11:00am [PDF]
14. Medieval Islamic Civilization
Due April 20 @ 11:00am [PDF]
15. Early Medieval Europe
Due April 27 @ 11:00am [PDF]
16. Later Medieval Europe and the Latin West
Due April 29 @ 11:00am [PDF]
17. Medieval Byzantium and Christian Expansion
Due May 4 @ 11:00am [PDF]
18. Medieval China and Central Asia
Due May 6 @ 11:00am [PDF]
19. The Mongol Empire and Asian Unification
Due May 11 @ 11:00am [PDF] (EXTRA CREDIT)
20. Medieval African Kingdoms
Due TBA @ 11:00am [PDF] (EXTRA CREDIT)
21. Ancient Civilizations in the Americas
Due TBA @ 11:00am [PDF] (EXTRA CREDIT)
Session notes (powerpoint program is required to view)
Intro Lecture--Introduction to World History and Course Materials
Section 0--The Neolithic Period and Origins of Civilization
Section 1--Ancient Mesopotamian Civilizations
Section 2--Rise of Ancient Egypt
Section 3--The Cosmopolitan Ancient Near East
Section 4--Ancient Persia and Other Near Eastern Empires
Section 5--Ancient Chinese Civilizations
Section 6--Chinese Unification Under the Qin and Han
Section 7--Classical Greece
Section 8--The Roman Empire
Section 9--Cultures of Ancient India
Section 10--Ancient Empires of the Indian Subcontinent
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Section 11--The Silk Routes and Global Interconnections
Section 12--Rise of Christianity in the Mediterranean World
Section 13--Foundations of Islam
Section 14--Medieval Islamic Civilization
Section 15--Early Medieval Europe
Section 16--Later Medieval Europe and the Latin West
Section 17--Byzantium and its Environs
Section 18--Medieval China and Central Asia
Section 19--The Mongol Empire
Section 20--Medieval African Kingdoms
Section 21--Civilizations in the Americas
John J. Curry
Assistant Professor
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Box 455020
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Office: (702) 895-0891 
Assistant Professor
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Box 455020
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Office: (702) 895-0891