History 111 F09

Professor Kathleen Addison

Kathleen.Addison@csun.edu

ST 606; OH M 6:00-6:50 at The Arbor, or by appt

677-2404

 

World Civilization 1500 to the Present

 

This is a survey course in World Civilization in the modern era.  We now live in a “global” era in which we are connected, almost instantly, to all other areas of the world via technology; however, the linkages we now experience are not only based in technology, but an interconnection that encompasses politics, economies,  religions (and differences), cultures, and a myriad other factors that are part of the human legacy.  It is perhaps more important than ever to understand not only those differences, but the similarities, and the roots that led us to this point.  Many causes and effects trace back through history, and we will study these thematically in this course.  My philosophy in history is not to memorize the facts, but to put them together, and to look at this story of humanity in a way that examines how things change and, more importantly, why.  Our learning objectives for this course, therefore, are not merely recitation of facts, but a deeper analysis and search for meaning of these events. 

To that end, please review my approach to World Civilizations is looking for connections thematically.  Because we look at certain issues comparatively, this may result in some chronologic inconsistencies.   We are not going to be following a straight time-line of narrative events, and you will need to "think outside the box" in putting these ideas together for a whole picture.  As a result, my lectures are thematic as well, and you MUST supplement them with your readings in order to get a full understanding.  I require that you have all done the reading BEFORE you come to class so that you are familiar with the topics of the day and can therefore participate in some degree of discussion to expand on these ideas. 

 

Texts:  You will be using Tignor, Adelman, et al Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Vol 2 (2nd edition, wwnorton)

You have two additional readings:  Elie Wiesel's Night, and Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.  (you may use any version of these two texts, which are not used until late in the semester if you wish to order them online).  The textbook comes with Studyspace and Digital Documents, which will be used in the class.  You will also find free online texts for some class readings on this website.  While I am not familiar with the textbook rental program, this option is available through the bookstore.  You are welcome to try whatever reduces your costs in this stressful semester! 

 

Course Requirements:  All requirements must be met in order to receive a passing grade in the course.  Please note the appropriate deadlines set by the university for drop deadlines, which are now being strictly enforced.  I do not drop anyone from the class and if you decide to drop, you must do so by the deadline of September 11.  Extensions beyond the deadline will be granted by the Dean only in “the most compelling circumstances” which must be documented, and we as faculty are no longer permitted to sign drop forms without evidence of compelling circumstances. 

Academic Honesty:    All students are expected to adhere to the CSUN Code of Conduct as outlined in the course catalog.  This includes ALL regulations regarding plagiarism, cheating, copying of work, infringment of intellectual processes, and illicit behavior in the classroom at all times (not just exam).   Your work is expected to be your own, independent, honestly derived creation.   You may not work collaboratively on assignments and turn in the same work.  You may not use Wikipedia or other unreferreed sources for submission of assignments, test information, or reading summaries.  Any violation of this will result in a failing grade. 

Furlough Issues:    As you are all undoubtedly aware, CSU Faculty have been required to take 2 furlough days per month to compensate for a 10% pay cut, reducing our workload by 10%.  Unfortunately, for the purposes of this class, we have a lot of material to cover (more than can normally be accomplished handily), and cutting into our time will cut the curriculum in certain areas.   Also, because I obviously cannot cut two classes per month in a once-a-week class, I will be spreading them out over the semester, cutting my grading time, and requiring group work by you all to compensate for this missed time.   You will be doing reading and discussion projects out of class, whether electronically or in person as your schedule allows, and each group will ultimately be responsible for presenting a focused study guide per exam in given parameters.  Additionally, we will be taking time off the end of each class to equal the required 10% reduction in course hours.  I sincerely apologize for this dilution of your educational process, particularly when you have already been unduly burdened with extraordinary fee increases.  It IS unfair, and i will try to compensate by giving you the best value for your money, but please understand the necessary solidarity to prevent future cuts to your education.    I STRONGLY urge you to contact your political representatives and the Chancellor's office and express your opinions. 

 

three exams:                                    15% each    STUDY GUIDE #1

Study Guide #2  

Final Exam Study Guide

 

Discussion of readings/quizzes    10%

Final Exam:                                      20%

Group Work for Furlough                 15%

Assignments (3)                                3.33% each (10% total)

 

Extra Credit will be allowed up to 5% of the course grade for the completion of online study exercises through www.wwnorton.com/studyspace.    Grading will not be curved.  The grading scale is 94.00% and above = A; 90.00-93.99 = A-; 87.00-89.99 = B+; 84.00=86.99 = B; etc.

 

 

 

Schedule of Lectures and Readings: 

 

POWERPOINT SLIDE SHOWS: :

Europe and Asia Connect (includes Atlantic Trade and Enlightenment)

Russia:  Muscovy to Catherine

Absolutism

Romaticism, Conservativism and Liberalism (oh my!)

Imperialism

Latin American Independence Movements

Mexican Revolution -- by Irene Atilano

Communism, Containment and Cold War           

 Rise of Fascism and WW II

 

OUTLINES

FRENCH REVOLUTION

Socialist thinkers:  St. Simon to Marx and Engels’ Communist Manifesto

 

GROUP PROJECTS

Group 5 on Industrial Revolution

Group 6 on Latin America

Group 9 on World War I

Group 10 on WW II and Cold War

Optional Assignment #3

 

 

Week 1, August 24:                Introduction & Background to Interconnections:  What                                                                                     drives the Age of Discovery.  Furlough time 45 min

                                                Get books; read Chap 12 of WT,WA and start 13

 

Week 2, August 31                 Europe to 1700, Africa and Atlantic Trade

                                                   Read:  WTWA 13, Digital Docs (hereafter DD) delas Casas.

 

Week 3, September 7          LABOR DAY HOLIDAY, NO CLASS.  READ AHEAD.

Week 4,  September 14            Asia and India to 1700:  Trade Empires of the East                                           

                                                 Read:  Worlds, chap 13 (esp. p. 566-end), 14

GROUPS 1 AND 2 SUBMIT STUDY OUTLINES

 

Week 5, September 21                 America: Colonization & Revolution; Connection to                                                                                              Europe:  Enlightenment

                                                      Chap 14 (second half), chap 15 (to p. 659); all digital documents

GROUPS 3 AND 4 SUBMIT STUDY OUTLINES (DIGITAL FORMAT)

                                    
Week 6, September 28          EXAM #1 for two hours.  Furlough time after 9 pm (45 min).

PLEASE BRING A SCANTRON AND PENCIL.

ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE PRIOR TO EXAM.  YOU MAY NOT EMAIL OR SUBMIT LATE.

                                               

Week 7, October 5                  Northern Eurasia to 1800: Japan’s Tokugawa                                                                                                          Shogunate; Muscovy and the Russian Empire

                                                           Readings:  Worlds chap 16, review 15; Sources (Olearius handout);

 

Week 8 October 12:                  The Industrial Revolution and Early 19th Century to 1850

                                                         Read:  chap 16 (alternative visions); Communist Manifesto and other Marx essays on

                                                         www.wwnorton.com/studyspace -- digital documents

                                                        Reading Quiz 8:45-9:00;  REMAINING TIME FURLOUGH 45 MIN.

 GROUPS 5 AND 6 SUBMIT STUDY OUTLINES BY THURSDAY 10/15, NOON via email to me. 

  

Week 9, October 19:                 EXAM #2 7 - 9 pm.  Furlough time after 9 pm. 

ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE AT EXAM

                                                     Read:  Chap 17 and all digital documents


Week 10, October 26                European Nationalism and Global Imperialism

An Unsettled World:  Reactions to Imperialism and the Modern World.     

                                                   Read: Worlds chap 18  and all digital documents

 

Week 11, November 2                   New Imperialism & World War I

                                                     Read Chap 19; reading quiz of Conrad

 Week 12, November 9     Interwar and New Orders:  Early Sovietism and the

                                                New Near East

                                                Read:  Chap 20,

groups 7 and 8 submit study guides digitally. 

 

Week 13, November 16          EXAM 3 7- 9 PM.  FURLOUGH TIME AFTER 9 PM.  

 (no assignment due)     

                                              

 

Week 14, November 25                  World War II:  Why this is different; Independence Movements        

                                                Review chap 20 through p.865

READING QUIZ 8:45-9:00 ON WIESEL, FURLOUGH TIME 9-9:45

 

Week 15, November 30                  Cold War and Decolonization

                                                Read:  Chap 20, first half 21, digital documents for 20

                                   

Week 16, December 7                     The Earth is Flat:  Globalization and Post Cold War

                                                Read:  Chap 21, sources online (Huntington)

GROUPS 9 AND 10 SUBMIT STUDY OUTLINES

           

 

Final exam is on MONDAY DEC 14, 2009   08:00 PM - 10:00 PM.  No exceptions or alternatives can be accommodated, so please adjust your schedules accordingly or take another class. ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE AT FINAL.