ANT 1710 - ORIGINS OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

credits: 3.0
Crosslisted/Same As: HIS 1710
ANT 1710-HIS 1710. The earliest civilizations on earth were found in such diverse settings as Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley of Pakistan, China, Mexico and Central America, and Andean South America. These civilizations had huge cities’ powerful rulers, fascinating religious beliefs, and elaborate temples and palaces. Will study the archaeology of the origins of these ancient civilizations beginning with the end of the Ice Age about 10,000 years ago. Will examine the lives of the ancient people of these civilizations through the study of their archaeological sites, artifacts, art, architecture, and writing. Objectives: A) Examine the significance of agriculture in the development of complex cultures and identify the major characteristics of early agricultural societies globally; B) Analyze the impact of geographical features in the formation and evolution of complex societies of the Mediterranean, Near East, Africa, South Asia, China, and the Americas; C) Compare and contrast the political, religious, economic, and social institutions of early civilizations of the Mediterranean, Near East, Africa, South Asia, China, and the Americas; D) Identify significant cross cultural exchanges that took place between the various civilizations around the world and how these exchanges impacted the development of these civilizations; E) Examine the dominant themes, climate change, domestication, migration, social inequality and urbanism, which link the early civilizations globally and provide an understanding of the bigger picture. Method of Instruction: Lecture and discussion. Method of Evaluation: Midterm, Final, and Two five-page essays. Meets *GLP Distribution Requirement.