The Modern World (HIST*1150)

Code and section: HIST*1150*01

Term: Fall 2023

Details

Course Format: 3 x 1 hour lecture/discussions per week

Course Synopsis:

This course will explore selected themes that highlight the history of the modern world beginning from the 20th century. Discussion of these themes will include how they have played out outside of Europe and North America, and especially in Africa but also in Asia and Latin America. We will be using a book of primary source evidence and videos to bring the topics to life. Tuesdays will largely be devoted to lectures while Thursdays will be for discussions of the lecture topics and the assigned video, portions of the latter which we might watch in class.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, student will have learned to:

identify and explain major themes, events, and people in the history of the modern world.
develop big picture views of these historical currents and events
identify and understand the historical contexts of these themes
develop written communication skills through written work.
develop a critical attitude to all historical information and appreciate the limitation of any source/historical knowledge of the past

Prerequisites:

None.

Method of Evaluation and Weights:

Written Assignments

20%: 1st set of 4 brief critical reflections on weekly lecture topics & discussions.
20%: 2nd set of 4 brief critical reflections on weekly lecture topics & discussions.
20%: Mid-term Exam
10%: Class/group participation
30%: Final essay incorporating primary source / or film analysis.

Texts Required/Recommended:

James Overfield, Sources of Global History Since 1900, Second Edition (Boston: Wadsworth, 2012)
Jeremy Black, The World in the Twentieth Century, Routledge, 2014 [accessible via OMNI]
Other supplement reading and audio/visual materials required will be made available on Course Link or via OMNI.

*Please note: This is a preliminary website description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.