Interesting and easy class!

The tests were pretty easy and straightforward as long as you're okay with memorizing a bunch of dates. There is only one short paper, and the final isn't cumulative.

I had a friend recommend this class to me since I had some interest in the topic. It probably is not the easiest GE, but it is definitely not horrendous. But, it involves a lot of memorization, so if memorizing dates, descriptions, and significances comes easy then I definitely recommend the course!

GRADING:
20% Hour Examinations (three total)
20% Discussion: participation & attendance
20% Term Paper

EXAMS
He posts a study guide, usually a week before the exam with ~30 terms and 4 essay questions. On the actual tests you'll be given 8 terms and can choose 5 to write about (which involves giving the exact date, defining/describing its context, and providing a significance) and 2 essay questions to choose one. He's critical abut dates, so you have to know the exact years people reigned or when an event happened. Since the study guide is posted ahead of time, there are no surprises for his exams. Also, he gives one extra credit question worth 3 points on each exam which are fairly easy- one worded answers. I recommend finding a small group or even just a partner to study with because that was extremely helpful for me when memorizing all the information. Lastly, the exams aren’t cumulative so you won’t have to remember information from the first week on the final.
Exam 1 –Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Assyria
Exam 2 –Greece
Exam 3 (Final) –Rome to Charlemagne

LECTURE
Professor Phillips is pretty prompt, he shows up right when class starts and usually leaves when it ends. Definitely go to lectures because all the information he gives is important and will help with either defining terms or help with answering an essay prompt for the exams. He lectures quickly since he has to cover so much information within 50 minutes. Unfortunately, the lectures aren’t podcasted so make sure to just go to class. Lastly, he is a brilliant lecturer, he makes the material interesting and adds a small sense of humor.

DISCUSSION
Getting a good TA is key because discussions don’t cover material covered in lecture, but rather a discussion regarding the assigned readings from primary texts. The readings are a moderate amount, you could probably spend about 3 hours a week max on the readings or you could probably get by with skimming depending on your TA.

PAPER
6-8 pages, due at end of quarter. Although, this course doesn’t exactly teach you how to write a proper history essay so make sure your writing skills have developed by the time you take this course.

REQUIRED MATERIAL
I am selling the required material for this course! Feel free to email, text, or call!
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Extremely interesting class, Professor Phillips is an incredible orator!
I am selling all required readings for this course, feel free to email, text, or call!
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Phillips is a decently easy professor. He is a great lecturer and has a good sense of humor. I would recommend this class if you are good at short term memorization and writing quickly. The way the tests work is that you basically have to write an essay in 25 minutes, however you are given the prompts ahead of time. There are never any surprises on the tests and the class is not cumulative. The 6-8 page paper is not too bad, just make sure you go to the history writing center or have your TA review if before you submit it. Overall not a very hard GE. You'll learn a pretty good amount about history and this class will not stress you out too much. A pretty good GE for south campus majors. Don't buy the textbook, it's unnecessary. However, make sure to buy the Readings in Ancient History book, you'll need it every week for discussion and your term paper.

Selling the books for History 1A
-Plato, The Last Days of Socrates
-The Epic of Gilgamesh
-Two Lives of Charlemagne
-The Theban Plays
if interested, email me at *************

Selling everything you need for this class.
Email me at *************

loose leaf western experience $45

course reader $10

misc. books $5 each

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Selling The Western Experience Ed 10 $50

Selling course reader $10

text 1-**********

Selling The Western Experience for a great price!! Text me at **********

Came into this class thinking it would be incredibly boring, but it ended up being one of my favorite classes last quarter! Probably not the easiest GE, but definitely not terrible. Straightforward and interesting!

GRADING:
20% each test (three total)
20% discussion
20% term paper

TESTS
He gives you a study guide with ~30 terms and 4 essay questions. On the actual tests you'll be given 8 terms and can choose 5 to write about and 2 essay questions to choose one. He lets you know exactly what to expect, which is really nice. Also, they aren't cumulative, which is really nice, because you only have to know a few weeks' worth of material. He's a stickler on dates, though, so you have to know the exact years people reigned or when an event happened. Spend a few days before the test cramming and memorizing those dates and you should be good.

LECTURE
Interesting! Everything he says is important, so I ended up typing the whole time. It's nice, though — keeps you awake! He really knows what he's talking about and the subject matter is pretty interesting.

DISCUSSION
Doesn't cover material covered in lecture, but rather a discussion regarding the assigned readings from primary texts. It's not terrible — probably spent about 3 hours a week max on the readings and you could probably get by with skimming depending on your TA.

PAPER
6-8 pages, due at end of quarter. Not bad.

OVERALL
Lots of memorizing, but nothing too stressful! I would recommend taking this class.