History 1500: Global Interactions

Section 002

Fall 2004

Course Syllabus

Dr. Sace Elder, instructor

Office: 2542 Coleman Hall

Phone: 581-8509

Email: cfsee@eiu.edu

Office Hours: *MWF 11-12; M 3-4

*subject to change; alterations will be announced in class

Course Description:

This is an introduction to the major social, political, economic, and cultural developments in world history since 1500. The course focuses on global economic and cultural interactions, the emergence of European hegemony, the industrial and political foundations of 19^th century imperialism and nationalist struggles for liberation, the guiding force of ideologies in those nationalist struggles, the role of the World Wars in reshaping empires, nations, and the balance of power; and the challenges of nation-building in the post-World War II era. Students will examine these topics through lecture and discussion of primary texts and secondary textbook, as well as regular writing assignments.

Required texts:

The following books are available through the textbook rental service:

Bentley and Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters, 2^nd ed. (Bentley)

Andrea and Overfield, The Human Record, 5^th ed. (Andrea/Overfield)

Course Requirements:

Exams: There will be three exams, including the final (see course schedule for dates). Exams will consist of essay and brief identifications of significant terms. The final will include a document analysis.

Short Assignments: Students will write a one-page (typed) response to each of the discussion questions listed on the course outline. The response should present an argument that is supported by evidence from the primary sources. Assignments will be evaluated according to the rubric attached to this syllabus.

Paper: Students will write one 3-4 page essay in response to specific questions covering course material. The specific assignment will be given in class.

ID Quizzes: There will be three identification quizzes over the course of the semester. Students should be prepared to identify in paragraph format the following: to whom or what the term refers, its geographic location, its approximate dates or time frame, and most importantly its significance.

Participation: This is course is designed as a lecture/discussion course. On days designated as discussion days (see course schedule), students will come to class prepared to discuss pre-circulated questions regarding the readings for the day. The discussion will center around the weekly topics and should also draw from lecture and the Bentley readings. Students will be assigned small groups with which to work throughout the semester. At a certain point in the semester, students will be asked to conduct evaluations of their own participation as well as that of their fellow group members. Participation will be graded along the following criteria:

14-15: Contributions to class discussion are frequent, informed, and relevant to the class discussion.

12-13: Contributions to class discussion are occasional, informed, and relevant to the course material

9-11: Contributions are informed but not relevant to the course material.

5-8: Contributions are neither relevant nor informed

0-4: No noteworthy contributions made whatsoever.

Quizzes: There will be 5 quizzes: two map quizzes and three identification quizzes over the Bentley reading(see course schedule).

Grading percentages:

First exam: 10%

Second exam: 15%

Final Exam: 20%

Short Assignments 15%

ID Quizzes: 15%

Paper 10%

Participation: 15%

Course policies:

Paper formats: All papers and assignments will be typed (computer-processed) using 12 pt. standard fonts and 1 inch margins. Citations (when used) will be endnote or footnote in format (to be discussed in class). Papers will be submitted in printed version (no electronic submissions unless previously arranged with the instructor and then only at the instructor’s discretion). Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a lowering of the assignment grade.

Late papers: All assignments are expected to be handed in on time. Each assignment will be docked have a letter grade for each calendar day late (for example, a B paper will be graded down to a C+). A paper is a day late if handed in after the scheduled class meeting for which it is assigned. The instructor may excuse a late paper under extreme circumstances and if proper documentation of the circumstance is provided; if you anticipate having to turn in a paper late, speak to the instructor beforehand, not after the deadline.

Absences: Any unexcused absence after the second will detract three points from the class participation grade. Excuses include extreme cases, such as death in the family or personal illness., and require documentation from the appropriate authority (e.g., funeral home, doctor) must be provided.

Arriving late/leaving early: Students are expected to arrive on time and stay until class is over in order to not disrupt class. Frequent leaving early and arriving late can result in the lowering of class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Academic integrity: Students are expected to follow the University guidelines for academic conduct (available at http://ww.eiu.edu/~judicial/code.html), which requires students to “observe the highest principles of academic integrity and support a campus environment conducive to scholarship.” Violations of academic integrity include “conduct in subversion of academic standards, such as cheating on examinations, plagiarism, collusion, misrepresentation or falsification of data;” “submitting work previously presented in another course unless specifically permitted by the instructor,” and “complicity in violations of this standard.” Plagiarism is “the use, without adequate attribution, of another person’s words or thoughts as if they were one’s own.” Citation of sources will be discussed in class and is required for all written assignments where appropriate.

Disabled students: Any student anticipating the need for special accommodations due to disability, physical or otherwise, should contact as early as possible Disability Services, located in Ninth Street Hall in Room 2002 or by phone at 581-6583. Accommodations can only be given to students with appropriate documentation from that office.

Major Assignments:

Sept. 13	First ID Quiz
Sept. 24	First Exam
Oct. 4	Second ID Quiz
Oct. 18	Second Exam
Nov. 8	Third ID Quiz
Nov. 17	Paper Due
December 15, 12:30-2:30PM	Final Exam

Discussion Days (Short Assignments Due):

Aug. 25

Sept. 10

Oct. 1

Oct. 15

Oct. 29

Nov. 5

Dec. 3

Dec. 10

Tentative Course Schedule

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable and appropriate alterations in the syllabus to accommodate changing circumstances.

Global Entanglements

8/23: Introduction

8/25: Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, P-7-P-14:

Question: Is Columbus’s letter a reliable source for learning about the nature of the first European-Indian contact and pre-Columbian Caribbean culture? Cite specific evidence from the document to support your answer.

8/27: Rise of Global Trade

Bentley, chapter 23

8/30: Emergence of Europe

Bentley, chapter 24

9/1: Europe, continued

9/3: Africa

9/6: Labor Day: No Class

9/8: Slave trade

Bentley, chapter 26

9/10: Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, 205-210

Question: Do you think the Black Code improved the condition of slaves in the French colonies?

9/13: The Chinese Empire

First ID Quiz

Bentley, 723-741

9/15: China continued

9/17: Islamic empires

Bentley, Chapter 28

9/20: Liberal revolutions

Bentley, chapter 807-830

9/22: Liberal Revolutions part ii

9/24: First Exam

The Rise of Global Inequality

9/27: Industrialization

Bentley, chapter 31

9/29: Industrial Society

10/1: Discussion, Andrea/Overfield, 275-283

Question: Compare and contrast Smiles’ and Marx/Engels’ analyses of the misery of the condition of the working classes of Europe. What are their respective diagnoses and recommendations for treatment?

10/4 Rise of Nation-States

Bentley, 830-836

Second ID Quiz

10/6 Societies under Pressure: China

Bentley, Chatper 33

10/8: Fall Break

10/11 Imperialism

Bentley, chapter 34

10/13: Imperialism continued

10/15 Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, 315-322, 340-343

Question: Did the Europeans fulfill their “civilizing mission” in the colonies?

Global War and the Demise of Empire

10/18: Second Exam

10/20: Origins of World War I

Bentley, Chapter 35

10/22: The World at War

10/25 Russian Revolution

10/27 Paris Peace Settlement

10/29 Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, 438-446

Question: Compare and Contrast the critiques of European imperialism and European society offered by Gandhi and Nguyen Thai Hoc. Which do you think offers the most radical ideas and why?

11/1: Stalin’s Russia

Bentley, chapter 36

11/3: Hitler’s Germany

11/5: Andrea/Overfield, 394-404

Question: Nazism and Stalinism are sometimes categorized together as “totalitarianism,” meaning state systems that seek to establish total control over all aspects of society. Based on your readings of these two documents, do you think Stalinism and Nazism were essentially similar or different? Explain.

11/8: World War II

Bentley, Chapter 37

Third ID Quiz

11/10: War of Liberation

11/12: Aftermath

11/15: Internationalism and the Bipolar World

Bentley, Chapter 38

11/17: Cold War

Paper Due

11/19: No Class

11/22-11/26 Thanksgiving Break: No class

11/29: Decolonization

Bentley, Chapter 39

12/1: Palestine and Israel

12/3: Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, 483-487

Question: What, in your opinion, was the most compelling argument presented in favor of Britain letting go of India in 1947?

12/6 The challenges of nation-building: Africa

Bentley, Chapters 39 (finish) and 40

12/8: Challenges of Nation-Building: Latin America

12/10: Discussion: Andrea/Overfield, 487-502

Question: What challenges did the newly independent nations face at the end of the twentieth century?

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 15, 12:30-2:30PM