Download History 161: The United States Since 1877

History 106
World History, 1500-Present
Allen Dieterich-Ward
Horton Hall 304
[email protected]
Phone: 477-1192
Spring 2008
Section 36
Section 22
Section 28
MWF 8:00
MWF 12:00
MWF 1:00
Office Hours: MW 9:00-11:00 or by appointment
Supplemental Instructors:
Nicole Bollinger
[email protected]
Martin Campbell
[email protected]
Amber Noecker
[email protected]
________________________________________________________________________
World History II is an introduction to global history from about 1500 C.E. It begins during a period of
rapid globalization as well as increasing colonization and ends at the upper limit of historical inquiry -the present day. Through readings, writing assignments, and in-class discussion, you will gain a
greater understanding of the geography, social and political systems, and culture of a wide variety of
the world’s peoples. We will also focus on the myriad ways in which contact and exchange between
cultures shaped human development. This course does not aim to cover the entire breadth of the
world’s history comprehensively. Instead, we will identify major patterns and themes that help explain
why the world is at it is. During each class session, we will focus on important case studies that
highlight overarching trends in global development. Your goal as a historian will be to analyze how
these specific examples relate to the larger patterns. An essential component of this project will be to
compare case studies from different geographical regions and times in order to make our conclusions
more meaningful. Our class is designed to build on those skills introduced in World History I that are
essential for your success in college and beyond. You will enhance your ability to comprehend and
critique primary sources and historical writings. You will learn to construct well organized, clear, and
concise arguments supported by evidence. You will also learn how to convey these arguments to
others through writing assignments and in-class discussion.
Requirements
I expect you to be present and prepared for every class meeting and to participate actively in the
discussion. You must complete assigned readings on time and hand writing assignments in at the
beginning of class on the day they are due. You should also consult the course website (Blackboard)
routinely for graded assignments, readings, and general course information.
Required Texts
 Jerry Bentley and Herbert Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the
Past, vol. II, 3rd ed. (Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006).
 Alfred Andrea and James Overfield, The Human Record: Sources of Global History, vol. II, 5th
ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005).
 Geraldine Brooks, Year of Wonders (Penguin Books, 2002).
 Michael J Lynch, Mao (New York: Routledge, 2004).
 John Miller, Michael Stone and Chris Mitchell, The Cell: Inside the 9/11 Plot and Why the FBI
and CIA Failed to Stop It (New York: Hyperion, 2002).
Web Documents
Assigned articles, chapters from books, and other documents will be available as web documents (WD)
through Blackboard. You are required to print out and bring to class any assignment listed on the
syllabus. Failure to do so will result in a grade of “0” for class participation for the day.
Grading
 Class Participation: Online Journal, Class Discussion and Group Work (20%)
 Quizzes X 4 (20%)
 Papers X 2 (20%)
 Midterm Exam (20%)
 Final (20%)
Class Participation
Online Journal
Each week you will have a number of primary sources assigned from The Human Record. Choose one
or more of the sources that you find interesting and submit a short essay answering one more of the
questions listed to the “Online Journal” section of Blackboard. Each submission should be at least 2
paragraphs, contain proper spelling, grammar and punctuation, and demonstrate a deep engagement
with the course themes and specific readings. I will evaluate your online journals periodically
throughout the semester and they will also help prepare you for the quizzes, midterm and final exam,
each of which will contain identifications drawn from The Human Record.
********Journal entries are due each week by Friday at 5:00 unless otherwise noted.*********
Class Discussion
Class sessions will be divided between lectures, full-class interactions, and small group discussions of
the readings. I expect everyone to contribute regularly to class discussion and to remain actively
engaged. I do not expect everyone to speak in full-class discussion everyday, but in order to receive a
high participation grade you should aim to contribute something at least once a week.
Group Work and Debates
During the first week, you will divide into groups of approximately six members. On the days marked
“Group Work” on the syllabus, I expect each member of the group to complete the assigned readings
and “Questions for Analysis” in The Human Record prior to class. I will collect individual
answers/notes from everyone at the beginning of class. During class each group will complete a
formal report based on your responses to a series of in-class questions. Group members will sign the
report and I will collect them at the end of each class. In addition, we will also engage in a number of
structured debates concerning specific historical controversies (see Blackboard for more information).
If you miss a discussion section or debate, you will receive a zero, “0,” for that assignment. At the end
of the term, group members will evaluate the contributions of each other. The quality of the Online
Journal entries, group reports, student evaluations, and my observations of class discussion will
determine individual class particpation grades.
Quizzes
You will demonstrate your comprehension of the material through four quizzes drawn from the
required readings. Each quiz will include terms drawn from lectures and readings as well as primary
source identifications from The Human Record. Quizzes may also contain questions linked to maps.
Quiz study guides will be available on Blackboard.
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Papers
You will be required to complete two 3-4 page papers. The purpose of these essays is to further
develop your analytical skills by focusing on assigned texts. You will find specific instructions for
each assignment posted on Blackboard. In addition, you are required to work with a classmate to
complete the Peer Editing Contract and then submit it with your final copy. Peer editing must take
place under the supervision of the Supplemental Instructors, so be sure to plan ahead. If you cannot
meet with the Supplemental Instructors, please notify me as early as possible.
Exams
The midterm and final exams are comprehensive and will include term identifications, primary source
identifications and longer essays. You can expect that the questions will require you to engage with the
course themes in a way that synthesizes readings and lectures from multiple weeks into coherent
historical arguments. I will distribute term lists and study guides prior to each exam.
Note on Plagiarism
In this course you will work together both in and out of class as you study for exams and peer edit your
papers. However, plagiarism or the “unacknowledged use of another writer’s own words or specific
facts or propositions or materials in your own writing” and other forms of academic dishonesty will not
be tolerated and may result in the failure of the course and/or other sanctions as outlined in the
Shippensburg University “Student Handbook,” pp. 18-21. To help prevent and identify plagiarism, I
will be using turnitin.com.
Attendance and Late Assignment Policies
Please do not miss class. If you do miss class, you are required to email me with a short explanation
and to complete all assignments in a timely fashion. Any absences above three will result in a
significantly lower class participation grade and may result in the failure of the course. I will deduct
points for late papers and I will only allow make-up exams at my discretion and may deduct points
depending on the nature of the absence.
Students with Disabilities
If you need additional assistance with any aspect of the class, please see me as soon as possible. I will
be more than happy to accommodate any reasonable request made well in advance of assignment due
dates.
Week 1---Welcome and Introductions
Background Readings: T&E chapter 20, begin Year of Wonders
Jan. 14
Course Introduction: The World in 1500
In-Class Reading: Tokugawa Iemitsu, “Closed Country Edict of 1635”
Jan. 16
Read:
European Expansion: Trade, Technology and Tourism
Human Record, P1-P18
Jan. 18
Read:
European Expansion: Christianity and the Columbian Exchange
Human Record, Doc. #18, 19, 20; WD Ian Carr, “Plagues and Peoples”
Week 2---European Encounters with Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Background Readings: T&E chapter 22, continue Year of Wonders
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Jan. 23
Read:
Portuguese Exploration and Empire
Human Record, Doc. #27, 28, 29
Jan. 25
Read:
Spanish Exploration and Empire
Human Record, Doc. #30, 32, 33, 34
Week 3---Transformation of Europe
Background Readings: T&E chapter 21; finish Year of Wonders
Jan. 28
Political and Religious Change
Read:
Human Record, Doc. #15, 16, 17; Year of Wonders
Quiz #1
Jan. 30
Society and Explaining the Natural World
Group Work: Year of Wonders (questions on Blackboard)
Feb. 1
Read:
Scientific and Intellectual Change
Human Record, Doc. # 24, 25; Year of Wonders
Week 4---Africa and the Atlantic World
Background Readings: T&E chapter 23
Feb. 4
The Atlantic Trading System
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 38
Feb. 6
Read:
Africa, the Atlantic System and Slavery
Human Record, Doc.# 48, 49
Feb. 8
Read:
Slavery Debate
WD Slavery Debate Packet
Week 5---Revolutions and Nation States in the Atlantic World
Background Readings: T&E chapter 26 and 28
Feb. 11
American Revolution and Civil War
Human Record, Doc. #46; WD Declaration of Independence
Quiz #2
Feb. 13
Read:
French Revolution and the Revolutions of Latin America
Human Record, Doc.# 43, 44, 45, 47
Feb. 15
Interpreting the American Revolution
Group Work: WD James Merrell, “Revisiting, Revising, and Reviving America's Founding Era”
(questions on Blackboard)
Week 6---The Industrial Revolution
Background Readings: T&E chapter 27
Feb. 18
Daily Life and Industrial Conditions
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 61
Paper #1 Due
Feb. 20
Read:
Responses to Industrialization
Human Record, Doc.# 39, 62, 63
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Feb. 22
Read:
Industrialization Debate
WD Industrialization Debate Packet
Week 7---Transforming Asian Empires
Background Readings: T&E chapters 24 and 25
Feb. 25
Ottoman Empire
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 9, 50, 74
Feb. 27
Read:
Q’ing China
Human Record, Doc.# 54, 79
Feb. 29
Encountering the Barbarian in Japan
Group Work: Human Record, Doc.# 82, 84 (Review Doc.# 5, 6)
Week 8---New Powers, New Imperialism
Background Readings: T&E chapter 29
Mar. 3
New Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 69, 70, 71, 73
Mar. 5
Midterm Exam
Week 9---The Great War
Background Readings: T&E chapter 30
Mar. 17
Outbreak and Experience of the War
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 87, 88
Mar. 19
Read:
Global Impact of the Great War
Human Record, Doc.# 92, 100, 103
Mar. 21
Read:
World War I Debate
WD World War I Debate Packet
Week 10---From War to Peace and Back Again
Background Readings: T&E chapter 31 & pp. 601-605; Begin Mao
Mar. 24
A Fragile Peace
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 89, 90, 91
Quiz #3
Mar. 26
Read:
World Depression and the Rise of Totalitarianism
Human Record, Doc.# 90, 91, 93, 94
Mar. 28
Conflict in East Asia
Group Work: Mao (questions on Blackboard)
Week 11---World War II and Origins of the Cold War
Background Readings: T&E chapter 33; Continue Mao
Mar. 31
World War II—Total War
WD PBS “Total War: Eyewitness Interviews”
Apr. 2
Read:
World War II – On the Home Front
Human Record, Doc.# 95, 97
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Apr. 4
Decision to Use the Atom Bomb
Group Work: Human Record, Doc.# 96; WD Gene Dannen, “Atomic Bomb: Decision”
Week 12---Cold War and Modern East Asia
Background Readings: T&E, pp. 607-608, begin chapter 34; Finish Mao
Apr. 7
Cold War and Communism in China
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 108, 109; Mao
Apr. 9
The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution
Group Work: Mao (questions on Blackboard)
Apr. 11
Read:
The Rise of Modern China
Human Record, Doc.# 116, 117
Week 13---The Bi-Polar World
Background Readings: T&E finish chapter 34; The Cell (begin)
Apr. 16
United States and the Vietnam Conflict
Read:
Human Record, Doc. # 103
Apr. 18
Collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union
Read:
Human Record, Doc. # 118
Paper #2 Due
Week 14---Decolonization and Nationalist Movements in Asia and Africa
Background Readings: T&E chapter 32 and pp. 658-661; 663-667; The Cell (continue)
Apr. 21
Indian Nationalism and the Independence Movement
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 102, 110
Quiz #4
Apr. 23
Read:
Nationalist Movements and Decolonization in Africa
Human Record, Doc.# 114
Apr. 25
Read:
Legacy of Colonization Debate
WD Colonization Debate Packet
Week 15---Challenges for the Twenty-First Century World
Background Readings: T&E chapter 35 (finish); The Cell (finish)
Apr. 28
Making of the Modern Middle East
Read:
Human Record, Doc.# 52, 68, 100, 101,112 & 119; The Cell
Apr. 30
From the Cold War to the War on Terror
Group Work: The Cell (questions on Blackboard)
May 2
Read:
Threat of Global Warming
WD Global Warming Packet
Final Exam: Date, time and location will be available through the Student Information System.
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