This class is a sequel to World History, History 242, which ends in 1700. It is not necessary to take the two semesters of World History in chronological order, or even to take both semesters.
Using material culture, visual sources, primary texts, and a textbook, this course will give students a solid understanding of World History from 1700 to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the development of major cultures around the world--and there will be extended discussion of how the major cultures fail to explain much of World History.
In practical terms, students will learn how to assess a broad range of historical sources from varied places and times; how to debate these works in class discussion; how to produce concise and precise reading notes based on an argument/counter-argument format; and how to work collaboratively on the group project. |