Congratulations, Rick!
The textbook’s title is revealing . . . the reference to a civilization as an “experiment” is a sign that it is probably written from a left/progressive viewpoint. Two books on Spartacus (assigned to you for a survey?) seem like overkill as well.
In my experience many survey texts shortchange the Hebrews, so you may need to supplement a bit there.
If you could give the main text a quick skimming upon arrival and let me know your impressions, it would help me figure out what supplemental material to recommend.
