What is civilization?  How did it begin in the ancient world?  In what ways
were early civilizations similar to one another?  How did they differ from
one another?  What do the similarities and differences tell us about the
nature of civilization, culture change, and human society itself?

This course addresses such questions through an introductory survey of five
ancient civilizations:  the Sumerians and Egyptians in the Old World and the
Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas in the New World.  Lectures, readings, and
discussion sections describe and compare these civilizations and consider
the ways in which their growth and decline were shaped by environment,
technology, trade, warfare, religious beliefs, and other phenomena.

Two lectures and one discussion section per week; four 2-3 page essays;
midterm and final examinations.  For more information see the course
Website:  http://www.indiana.edu/~mathers/ancient/home.html