History 131
An Introduction to Modern Global History
Spring Quarter, 2001
Instructor's Office Hours:
Instructor: Mr. Rick Dodgson
Office Hours: Friday after class.
Phone: Athens campus: 740 593 4345. Home: 740 593 3930
E-mail: rd338088@ohio.edu
Website: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~rd338088/
Introduction and Purpose:
This course is an introduction to modern global history since 1500. Its focus is on the interaction between what has traditionally been called the "Western" world and what is sometimes referred to as the "non-Western" world, the "Third World," or the "developing" world. The course is not designed to cover the history of the entire world over the past 500 years (an impossible task in a ten-week quarter!), but rather to explore more general topics and themes by looking at specific historical episodes. Its main goal is to provide students with new and wider perspectives with which to evaluate historical and modern issues.
A second objective is to introduce the student to the study of history. By examining different sources students will see some of the problems historians encounter, such as lack of evidence and conflicting interpretations. Students will learn more than just names and dates, but will emerge from the course with a broader understanding of the shape of the modern world and its many cultures.
Topics and Themes:
In lectures and the assigned readings the course will address the following topics and themes. Students should keep these themes in mind and refer back to them as they prepare to take their examinations.
- The reasons for and the nature of Western expansion after 1500. Was Western civilization superior to that of its contemporaries? Were the changes brought about by Western expansion unique and irreversible?
- The origins and the changing characteristics of the struggle between Western and non-Western, industrialized and non-industrialized, rich and poor, capitalist and non-capitalist societies. Are these struggles between right and wrong, or are the issues more subtle and complex?
- What happens when countries "modernize"? Does modernization really mean Westernization, or can societies modernize on their own terms-without becoming more Western?
- Do all countries and cultures follow the same path of political and economic development, or is it possible for them to develop independently and preserve their unique identities?
Required Books:
- Jerry Bentley and Herbert Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past - available for purchase at the bookstore in the University Mart.
Attendance:
Attendance will not be taken in this course, but it is essential for its successful completion. Students are responsible for all material covered in class: this includes lectures, videos, and other presentations. Observed frequent non-attendance may negatively affect a student's grade. Handouts (lecture outlines, etc.) are frequently provided at the beginning of class; these contain the terms that will be used during the course of the lecture.
Course Requirements:
- Class participation is worth 5% of your grade.
- There are six quizzes on the assigned readings. Your best five scores on these quizzes will count towards 25% of your grade.
- There is one mid-term exam that is worth 30% of your grade.
- There is one final exam that is worth 40% of your grade.
- Exams will consist of essay questions and identifications and offer choice. (Bring "blue" examination books). One essay question on the final will be cumulative.
Examinations:
- The midterm will consist of a choice of ID questions (you choose 5 out of the 8 offered) that are worth 50 points in total. In your answer, your will be expected to identify a person, term, or event (who? what? when? and where?) and also briefly discuss why this person, term or event is historically significant. You will also be expected to write one essay (you will be given a choice of two) that will also be worth 50 points. In this essay you will be required to provide an informative response to a direct inquiry about a particular topic and/or period covered by the course.
- The final (two hour) exam will consist of two sections. The first covers material from the second half of the quarter only and is very similar to the mid-term. In this section you will be expected to answer 6 ID questions of the 10 offered and 1 of the 2 essay questions. The Ids are worth a total of 60 points, and the essay 70 points. The second section of the final will ask you to write 1 essay (from a choice of 2) that will ask you to consider some of the broader themes that we have covered over the whole quarter. This essay will also be worth 70 points.
Final Examination:
Friday, 8th June, 2001, 9:00-11:00 a.m. All students, including graduating seniors, must take the final.
Grading Scale:
100-93 = A
92-90 = A-
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C-
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D-
59-0 = F
Make-Up Policy:
Students who have to miss an exam should notify the instructor in advance with a satisfactory excuse (e.g., a documented sickness or family emergency) and make arrangements for a make-up. A student who does not arrange for a make-up within a week after an exam will automatically receive a failing grade for the exam.
Academic Misconduct:
The Ohio University Code of Conduct Policy defines and prohibits all forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism (using someone else's words or ideas without acknowledging or citing this use). Check your student handbook [Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog, 2000-2001, p. 32] if you are in doubt about the definition of academic dishonesty. University policy empowers the instructor to lower the grade of any student engaged in course-related dishonesty, and to take other measures. Penalties range from a final grade of "F" to referral to University Judiciaries for disciplinary action (which may result in expulsion from the university).
Class Schedule:
Week One: 30th March
Lectures: Introduction and Syllabus: "What is Global History?"
Week Two: 6th April
Readings: Chp.20 and 24
Quiz: On readings for this week
Lectures: First Encounters: The Aztecs
Week Three: 13th April
Readings: Chp.25
Quiz: On readings for this week
Lectures: The Collision of Worlds: The Atlantic Slave Trade
Week Four: 20th April
Readings: Chp.26 (p.647-664)Chp.32 (p.831-838)
Quiz: On readings for this week
Lectures: China: The Qing Dynasty and beyond
Week Five: 27th April
Mid-term: One hour exam covering materials from weeks one through four
Readings: Chp. 33 (p.847-854)
Lectures: Imperialism: Collision of Cultures
Week Six: 4th May
Readings: Chp. 33 (p.854-874)
Quiz: On readings for this week
Lectures: Imperialism: The Indian Experience
Week Seven: 11th May
Readings: Chp.26 (p.664-671)
Lectures: Japan: Modernization and Westernization
Week Eight: 18th May
Readings: Chp. 32 (p.838-844)
Quiz: On readings for this and last week
Lectures: Japan (continued)
Week Nine: 25th May
Readings: Chp. 27
Quiz: On readings for this week
Lectures: Religion and Culture: Islam, Nationalism and Iran
Week Ten: 1st June
Readings: Chp. 38 (p.1024-26)
Quiz: On readings for this and last week
Lectures: Religion and Culture: Islam, Nationalism and Iran (continued)
Final Exam: 8th June, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Two hour exam covering material from weeks five through nine with one additional essay question drawn from the whole course.
Page URL: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~rd338088/syllabus131.htm
© Copyright 2001, Rick Dodgson
Webmaster: Rick Dodgson
Revised:March/23/2001
