University of South Alabama
History Department, 344 Humanities Bldg.
Office telephone: 460-6210 (leave message if necessary)
Dr. Michael L. Monheit 
Office: 377 Humanities Bldg. 
Course ID

HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION I, HISTORY 101, SYLLABUS, Spring 2012

SECTION 501, WEDNESDAY, 6-8:30 PM
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TIPS FOR DOING WELL IN THIS COURSE

Learning involves both thought and repetition, and you need time to digest and think about readings and lectures.  You need to: 1) attend class regularly; 2)  take good notes on class lectures -- I often present  important issues and interpretations not in either of the required books -- My quiz, midterm and final exam questions often draw directly on the lectures; 3) read all assignments before they are discussed in class; 4) review your class notes during the day or evening after class.  If you do well on the earlier exams, don't lose your chance for an A by slacking off.

During lectures, I present interpretations of the topic I am discussing, not just factual information.   In my lectures, I present a general topic, specified in the Syllabus, and a number of sub-topics.  When I discuss each of these topics, I offer an interpretation.  Much of the factual information I present is meant to support my interpretation, much as a lawyer presents facts to support her or his case.  You will better understand my lectures when you keep this in mind. Sometimes you can recognize these interpretations because I pose questions and then answer them.  The answer is my interpretation of the specific event.  It is much better to take notes according to topic and supporting information, than to simply write down factual information.  It is much easier to remember factual information when you understand why I think it is important, and the topic to which it relates.  Understanding my interpretations can also help you to organize the factual material better, as you will see more clearly why I think certain facts are important.  If you would like further clarification of something I say in lecture, please don’t hesitate to raise your hand.

Rogers’ book, Aspects of Western Civilization, contains very useful time-lines/chronological tables that will help you understand the relations in time and place between one event and another.  

Much of this course involves learning to improve your reading and writing skills.  Try to adjust your reading speed according to the difficulty of the material.  You may sometimes find that you need to read slowly.  Frequently you will need to look up difficult words in a good dictionary.  This is normal, and is nothing to be ashamed of.  

I welcome students to come by during office hours, to discuss the course material.  I enjoy talking to you.  You need not be having a problem to come by.  Of course, if at any time you are having difficulties understanding the material or with any other aspect of the course, please come  talk to me about the problem.  It is quite common even for seniors to run into difficulties in their studies.

If you cannot come during office hours please speak to me after class or leave a message by ,  in the History Department between 8 AM and 3:30 PM (460-6210), on voice mail at my office phone number (460-6868), with the best times to reach you and I will arrange an appointment.  The quickest way to reach me is by e-mail.