Origins of Complex Societies

Year
0
Academic year
2022-2023
Code
01010680
Subject Area
Área Científica do Menor
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes using PowerPoint. Some classes will be more practical, using text analysis as a base, (indicated in the first class), with a view to thematic debates.

Learning Outcomes

Introduce students to the explanatory models and the issues (at times contradictory) of the origin and evolution of state societies (from Neothilization to the formation of the so-called pre-classical Cities, States and Civilisations) so that they can better understand the complexity of the different socio-political forms. In this context, we will discuss the processes of formation and evolution of some of these civilisations (from the Old and the New World). Nevertheless, so that students will gain a deeper historical and geographical understanding, we will focus on the Near East, in other words the Pre-classical societies of the Old World that, directly or indirectly, influenced the mediterranean cultures and civilisations. This will prepare the students for a critical review of the bibliographic sources. In the case of the Bachelor's in History, the program is preceded by a brief introduction to origins and evolution of humanity and general information about ancient pre-history.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the study of the first civilisations

1.1. Concepts, methodologies and periodizations

1.2. Theoretical models on the process of neothilization

1.3. Theoretical models on the origins of the State and Civilisation

 

2. The primary civilisations of the Old and New Worlds

2.1. Mesopotamia and Egypt

2.2. The Indus Valley and China

2.3. Mesoamerica and Peru

 

3. Near Eastern pre-classic civilisations

3.1. Cities, States and Empires

3.2. Religion and ideoologies of power

3.3. Cultural writings, literature and disclosures.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Cordeiro de Sousa Gomes Abrunhosa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 25.0%
Frequency: 75.0%

Bibliography

BRAUDEL, F., 2001 - Memorias do Mediterrâneo. Pré-História e Antiguidade, Ed. Terramar, Lisboa.

JAGUARIBE, Helio, 2001 – Un Estudio Crítico de la Historia, 2 tomos, F. de Cult. Ec., México.

LEVÉQUE, Pierre, 2001 – As primeiras civilizações. I – Os Impérios do Bronze, Ed. 70, Lisboa.

LEVÉQUE, Pierre, 1990 – As primeiras civilizações. II –A Mesopotâmia /Os Hititas, Ed. 70, Lisboa.

NAVARRO, Francesc (Dir. Ed.), 2005 – História Universal. Ed. Salvat/Ed. Público.

REDMAN, Charles, 1990 - Los origines de la Civilización. Desde los primeros agricultores hasta la sociedad urbana en el Próximo Oriente, Ed. Crítica, Barcelona.

ROTHMAN, Mitchells (Ed.), 1994 – Chiefdoms and early status in the Near East. The organizational dynamics of complexity, Monographs in World Archaeol. nº 18, Prehistory Press.

WAGNER, Carlos G., 1999 - Historia del Cercano Oriente, Ed. Univ. Salamanca.

WHITEHOUSE, Ruth e WILKINS, John, 1986 – The making of civilization. History discovered through archaeology, New York.