Climate and the Fate of Civilizations

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  • Special Topics in Archaeology
  • ESCI 4375/6375
  • Climate and the Fate of Civilizations
  • Johnson 116
  • Spring 2008
  • T/TR 10:20-11:15 


David H. Dye, Ph.D.	
Office – Johnson 0-1A 					
Office Hours: TR 11:00 - 12:00 or by appointment						
Phone\voicemail: 678-3330					
Fax: 678-2178							
Email: daviddye@memphis.edu				

Lensyl Urbano, Ph.D.
Office – Johnson 204
Office Hours:MW 1:00-2:00 or by appointment
Phone\voicemail: 678-4543
Fax: 678-2178
Email: lurbano

Changes may be made to the syllabus at anytime during the semester


Contents

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PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites for Climate and the Fate of Civilizations.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

In ESCI 4376/6376 we will discuss the fascinating story of humanity and climate change throughout the world from earliest times to the modern era. The course is designed to provide an understanding of the dynamic nature of climate and archaeologically documented cultural change. An important theme is the resilience of populations and political systems to change. The following objectives are important for understanding the dramatic impact climate has had on human societies in the past:

  1. to examine the chronological and spatial dimensions of climate change;
  2. to survey the impact of climate on civilization; and
  3. to discuss the historical study of climate and the future of civilization.


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CREDIT

ESCI 4375/6375 is a three credit hour course, which may be used as an elective for undergraduate and graduate students.

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CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Regular attendance is expected during the semester. Assigned readings should be read prior to the class in which they will be discussed. An important component of your grade will be demonstrating that you have read and mastered the reading assignments. The proof of your preparation will be evident in your participation in class discussions. An incomplete grade will be given only for sickness or work related (beyond your control) circumstances that are documented.

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COURSE STUDY

You should be prepared to analyze and synthesize the various course components in order to comprehend and develop a working knowledge of the subject matter. The course will be composed primarily of lectures, assigned readings, and class discussions. Class handouts will be provided throughout the semester.

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TEXTS

Fagan, Brian

  • 1999 Floods, Famines, and Emperors: El Niño and the Fate of Civilizations. Basic Books, New York. ($16.50) ISBN: 0465011217
  • 2000 The Little Ice Age: How Climate Made History, 1300-1850. Basic Books, New York. ($16.95)
  • 2005 The Long Summer: How Climate Changed Civilization. Basic Books, New York. ($15.00)
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COURSE PAPERS AND EXAMS

Two exams will be given during the semester: a mid-term and a final. Each exam may be composed of multiple choice, essay, and short answer questions. Each exam will be worth 100 points. A term paper will be required of each student (ten pages for undergraduates and 20 pages for graduate students). The paper topics must be approved and must pertain to some aspect of climate and the fate of civilizations. Graduate students are required to give in-class paper presentations. Undergraduates will be given extra credit for paper presentations.

All work must be typed double-spaced on white 8.5 by 11 inch typing paper, one side only. Margins must be one inch on all sides. Twelve point fonts must be used. Each paper should have a title page and references cited section. Papers should be stapled on the upper left corner and each page numbered. Do not enclose papers in plastic or paper binders. A helpful article on paper presentations is "Giving Papers" by Karen O. Bruhns (American Antiquity 49[1]:154-161, 1984). Papers should conform to American Antiquity style guide (see American Antiquity 57[4]:749-770, 1992) or a style guide in your discipline. GRADING SYSTEM

Undergraduate Students: 

Exams				40%
Class Participation		30%	
Term Paper			30% 
	     		       100%

Graduate students 

Exams				30%
Class Participation		30%
Term Paper			40%	
			       100%
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COURSE SCHEDULE

Date Subject Assigned Reading
Jan. 16 Introduction and Course Overview
18 Contemporary Studies of Climate 1.Global atmospheric circulation; 2.Climatic Regions Lab Climatic Regions Questions; 3.Climate/Civilizations Cities and States
23 Prehistory and Paleoclimate 1. Paleo-climate
25 The Late Ice Age Orchestra, 18,000 to 13,500 B.C. Fagan 2005:2
30 The Virgin Continent, 15,000-11,000 Fagan 2005:3
Feb. 1 Europe During the Great Warming, 15,000 to 11,000 B.C. Fagan 2005:4
6 A Time of Warming Fagan 1995:5
8 The Thousand-Year Drought, 11,000 to 4000 B.C. Fagan 2005:5
13 The Cataclysm, 10,000 to 4000 B.C. Fagan 2005:6
15 Droughts and Cities, 6200 to 1900 B.C. Fagan 2005:7
20 Gifts of the Desert, 6000 to 3100 B.C. Fagan 2005:8
22 The Dance of Air and Ocean, 2200 to 1200 B.C. Fagan 2005:9
27 Midterm Exam
Mar. 1 Pharaohs in Crisis Fagan 2005:6
6 Spring Break
8 Spring Break
13 Celts and Romans, 1200 B.C. to A.D. 900 Fagan 2005:10
15 The Great Droughts, A.D. 1 to 1200 Fagan 2005:11
20 The Moche Lords Fagan 1999:7
22 Magnificent Ruins, A.D. 1 to 1200 Fagan 2005:12
27 The Ancient Maya Collapse Fagan 1999:8
29 The Medieval Warm Period, A.D. 800 to 1200 Fagan 2000:1,2
Apr. 3 The Little Ice Age, A.D. 1300 to 1850 Fagan 1999:10; 2000:3-11; 2005:Epilogue
5 Nineteenth Century Climatic Events:
The American Dust Bowl
10 Nineteenth Century Climatic Events:
Mt. Pinatubo eruption
12 Twentieth Century Climatic Events:
17 Twentieth Century Climatic Events:
19 Potential Effects of Potential Future Climate Change:
Global Warming Fagan 2000:12
24 Potential Effects of Potential Future Climate Change:
Nuclear Winter
26 Study Day
May 1 Final Exam (10:30 am-12:30 pm)
Retrieved from "http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu:16080/Classes/index.php/Climate_and_the_Fate_of_Civilizations"
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