COURSE DETAILS
Weekly Lectures
Weekly Discussion Sections
Course Description
This lecture course provides a general introduction to modern world history. Rather than attempting to cover every event in every part of the world, the course is designed to introduce students to a broad set of themes in comparative global history. The focus of those themes will center on the creation of the modern world system (defined by a global capitalist economy and the nation-state system), the integration of various regions into that system, and attempts to organize participation in that world system at the local, regional, or global levels.
We will thus begin with understanding what it is that sets the modern period in world history as distinct from previous periods. After establishing the basic processes through which the entire planet was integrated into a modern world economy and the international system of nation-states, the course will turn its attention to particular junctures in the attempt to organize both domestic and international political economies. The key themes addressed during the course will be as follows:
Framing a world history course in such a manner has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it exposes students to some of the key processes, structures, ideas, and events that have given shape to the contemporary world we live in. On the other hand, it might overlook particular experiences that though important in their own right are not necessarily accounted for within such a broad and comparative framing. Ultimately, the syllabus is designed to draw on the historiography of different regions of the world and various topics in comparative history, with the aim of encouraging students to identify their interests and pursue more specialized coursework accordingly.
Rooted in a global comparative historical perspective, the course is structured to offer three simultaneous lines of inquiry: (1) What are the major historical processes that facilitated the making of the modern world; (2) What are the ways in which various states and communities can be grouped together and/or separated when discussing this global history; (3) How can world history offer a launching point for understanding and critiquing power relations in the period since 1750?
Course Objectives
Course Requirements
This course is designed as an introductory undergraduate survey, which means that students’ success and that of the course will depend on their individual and collective commitment to the following:
Extra Credit: Being at an institution such as Ohio University presents students with the opportunity to attend a variety of events that serve to supplement their in-class educational experience. As such, I will offer the opportunity to earn extra credit toward your final course grade by attending a select number of pre-identified events during the semester. Credit for attending such events is earned only upon the submission of a one-page synopsis of the event indicating: (1) the logistics and nature of the event; (2) a summary of the information presented; (3) a reflection on the student's sense of the event in terms of value added, interest level, and such matters. Additional information on which events qualify for extra credit and what precisely the one-page synopsis should address will be forthcoming as the semester commences. Student must attend at least two events and write synopses for each of them in order to earn extra credit, which will be reflected in the student's overall course grade.
Academic Integrity: In satisfying the above requirements, all students are expected to follow the University’s code of academic integrity. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unclear on what academic integrity means or have questions about a particular issue.
Services for Students with Difference: If you have a learning, physical, psychological disability for which you are or may be requesting reasonable academic adjustments, you are encouraged to privately alert me as soon as possible so we can make all appropriate arrangements. Students requesting accommodation based on the impact of a disability must provide written documentation from the Office of Student Accessibility Services. If the student has not yet registered with the Office of Student Accessibility Services, they are encouraged to do as soon as possible.
- Mondays & Wednesday, TBA
Weekly Discussion Sections
- Six Sections (Scheduled TBA)
Course Description
This lecture course provides a general introduction to modern world history. Rather than attempting to cover every event in every part of the world, the course is designed to introduce students to a broad set of themes in comparative global history. The focus of those themes will center on the creation of the modern world system (defined by a global capitalist economy and the nation-state system), the integration of various regions into that system, and attempts to organize participation in that world system at the local, regional, or global levels.
We will thus begin with understanding what it is that sets the modern period in world history as distinct from previous periods. After establishing the basic processes through which the entire planet was integrated into a modern world economy and the international system of nation-states, the course will turn its attention to particular junctures in the attempt to organize both domestic and international political economies. The key themes addressed during the course will be as follows:
- The Global Economy
- The Nation-State as a Political Unit and International System
- Colonialism, Imperialism, and Their Others
- Economic Development and Its Varied Ideologies
- Norms and Institutions of Global and Local Governance
- Violence, Power, and Hierarchies
Framing a world history course in such a manner has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it exposes students to some of the key processes, structures, ideas, and events that have given shape to the contemporary world we live in. On the other hand, it might overlook particular experiences that though important in their own right are not necessarily accounted for within such a broad and comparative framing. Ultimately, the syllabus is designed to draw on the historiography of different regions of the world and various topics in comparative history, with the aim of encouraging students to identify their interests and pursue more specialized coursework accordingly.
Rooted in a global comparative historical perspective, the course is structured to offer three simultaneous lines of inquiry: (1) What are the major historical processes that facilitated the making of the modern world; (2) What are the ways in which various states and communities can be grouped together and/or separated when discussing this global history; (3) How can world history offer a launching point for understanding and critiquing power relations in the period since 1750?
Course Objectives
- Understand the macro-level chronology of modern world history.
- Identify major figures, events, and processes that helped define each historical period.
- Obtain a basic command of the political and economic geography of the world.
- Develop elements of critical knowledge consumption, including the deconstruction of teleological narratives and the identification of discourses of power.
Course Requirements
This course is designed as an introductory undergraduate survey, which means that students’ success and that of the course will depend on their individual and collective commitment to the following:
- Lectures: Students are expected to attend lectures, where important course material not covered in the readings will be presented.
- Discussion (15%): Students are expected to enroll in, attend, and actively participate in one of the weekly TA-facilitated discussion sections. This portion of your course grade will be entirely dependent on your attendance and engagement in the discussion section meetings. It is highly advised that students not only complete the weekly readings prior to each section meeting, but have thought about them enough to formulate questions or raise important points as part of their discussion participation. In addition, students will be expected to periodically submit responses to online discussion questions. The course instructor and teaching assistants will elaborate further on expectations for the discussion section and discussion blog during the first week of the course.
- Content Test (10%): Students are expected to sit for a content test, which is a abbreviated version of what a midterm exam will look like, during Week 3.
- Map Quizzes (15%): Students will be required to prepare for and pass three map quizzes, each dealing with the contemporary states of particular region of the world. Students will be tested on their knowledge of the different states, major cities, large bodies of water, significant mountain terrains, and strategic points of the regions on which they are quizzed. The three map quizzes will be administered during Week 7 (Europe and the Americas), Week 11 (Africa), and Week 14 (The Middle East and Asia). A detailed prompt for the quiz will be distributed to students the week preceding each of the map quizzes.
- Midterm Exam 1 (20%): Students are expected to submit and pass a midterm exam on September 24 (Monday of Week 5). No outside reading will be required or allowed for this exam as the material necessary for successfully completing the assignment will be contained within class lectures, discussion meetings, and weekly reading assignments. It is thus advisable that students do not delay in being up on the coursework and taking good notes. The exam will be comprised of two parts: identifications and short essay questions.
- Midterm Exam 2 (20%): Students are expected to submit and pass a midterm exam on October 29 (Monday of Week 10). No outside reading will be required or allowed for this exam as the material necessary for successfully completing the assignment will be contained within class lectures, discussion meetings, and weekly reading assignments. It is thus advisable that students continue to keep up on the coursework and taking good notes. The exam will be comprised of two parts: identifications and short essay questions.
- Final Exam (20%): Students are required to submit and pass a final exam in order to complete all course requirements. The exam will be cumulative and will take place according to the Registrar’s final examination schedule. The exam will be comprised of two parts: identifications and short essay questions.
Extra Credit: Being at an institution such as Ohio University presents students with the opportunity to attend a variety of events that serve to supplement their in-class educational experience. As such, I will offer the opportunity to earn extra credit toward your final course grade by attending a select number of pre-identified events during the semester. Credit for attending such events is earned only upon the submission of a one-page synopsis of the event indicating: (1) the logistics and nature of the event; (2) a summary of the information presented; (3) a reflection on the student's sense of the event in terms of value added, interest level, and such matters. Additional information on which events qualify for extra credit and what precisely the one-page synopsis should address will be forthcoming as the semester commences. Student must attend at least two events and write synopses for each of them in order to earn extra credit, which will be reflected in the student's overall course grade.
Academic Integrity: In satisfying the above requirements, all students are expected to follow the University’s code of academic integrity. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unclear on what academic integrity means or have questions about a particular issue.
Services for Students with Difference: If you have a learning, physical, psychological disability for which you are or may be requesting reasonable academic adjustments, you are encouraged to privately alert me as soon as possible so we can make all appropriate arrangements. Students requesting accommodation based on the impact of a disability must provide written documentation from the Office of Student Accessibility Services. If the student has not yet registered with the Office of Student Accessibility Services, they are encouraged to do as soon as possible.