World Civilization II

Spring 2005

MW 8:20-9:35 p.m., Room 217 Main Hall

 

Dr. Leslie Heaphy

Office 310 D

Office Hours:  M 12:30-1:30, MW 4:00-5:00 p.m., TR 12:30-1:30 or by appointment

E-mail:  Lheaphy @stark.kent.edu

 

Course Description:

This course will examine developments and themes in world history from the Enlightenment/Renaissance period into the 20th century.  The class will use discussions, lectures, films and other multi-media formats to explore such topics as religion, war, education, exploration, globalization, immigration, technology and reform.

 

Course Objectives

1.      To give students a greater understanding of the flow of history

2.      To help students understand some of the similarities and differences between peoples and cultures

3.      To encourage students to look for connections between the past and present

4.      To develop students ability to communicate in written and spoken formats through discussions and various writing assignments

5.      To help students learn a greater appreciation for the differences that exist throughout the world

6.      To help students develop their critical thinking skills

 

 

Books

All Quiet on the Western Front

Atlas

Essential World History vol. II (1400 to the Present)

 

Assignments

Three exams …………………………..100 points each

Three map quizzes ……………………. 15 points each

Journal ………………………………… 45 points total

All Quiet project………………………. 75 points

Participation/In class assignments…….. 35 points

Four other paper assignments ------------ 25 points each

 

Total……………………………………….. 600 points

 

A is 540 points and higher

B is 480 to 539 points

C is 420-479 points

D is 360-419 points

F is 359 and below

 

Policies/Services

Students with Disabilities

University Policy #3342-3-18 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content.  If you have a documented disability and are seeking academic accommodations please contact Kelly Kulick in the Office of Student Disability Services at 330-244-3287.  Students need to understand that if they will be requesting academic accommodations they are required to present medical documentation that addresses their disability before they are eligible for assistance through the Office of Student Disabilities which is located in the new Campus Center.  The new office number for the Office of Student Disability Services will be #47.  The new phone number will be 330-244-5047.

 

Academic Honesty

All work that students hand in is expected to be their own.  Failure to do so is plagiarism and students could be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the "Cheating and Plagiarism" section of the University's Digest of Rules and Regulations.  Your instructor may use software to identify portions of papers which have been copied from websites.

 

Writing Center

            Located in Main Hall, room 202, the Writing Center offers students help and instruction on any writing assignments in this class or any other.  They offer tutorials, handouts and brochures, and information on their website:  www.stark.kent.edu/writing.  There is no cost to use this service.

           

Testing Center

            The Testing Center is located in the lower level of the new Campus Center.  Call for hours and other information.  If you need to use their services for make-up tests be sure to bring your student id with you.  This is where all tutoring services are also located.

 

Campus Theme

This year the Campus Theme is Globalization.  The campus theme is designed to help students see connections between the classes they are taking as different disciplines may introduce the same topic but deal with it in different ways.  The book Globalization:  A Short History is available in the library for those interested.

 

 

Course Outline

            All readings are tentative and may be subject to change as the semester goes along.  Please read all chapters before class so that you are aware of the topics for the week.  Students will be kept informed of changes in the readings as the semester progresses.

 

Week 1                        Introduction and overview--explorers

                                                “New Encounters:  The Creation of a World Market”

Week 2                        Reformation and Renaissance

                                                “Religious Reform and State Building”

Week 3                        Scientific Revolution

                                                “Toward a New Heaven and a New Earth”

Week 4                        Nations at war

                                                “Europe on the Eve of a New World Order”

Week 5                        French Revolution and beyond

                        **************Exam One on Feb. 16th*****************         

Week 6                        Coming of Industrialization

                                                “The Beginnings of Modernization”

Week 7                        New Emerging ideas

                                                “The emergence of Mass Society”

Week 8                        India and Asia

                                                “The Muslim Empires” and “The East Asian World”

Week 9                        Rising Tides

                                                “The High Tide of Imperialism”

Week 10          *********Spring break****************

                                    Start All Quiet on the Western Front

Week 11                      New World Powers Emerge

                                                “Shadows over the Pacific” and continue All Quiet

                        *********** Exam Two on March 30th*****************

Week 12                      Birth of Nationalism and Militarism

                                                “The Beginning of the 20th Century Crisis” and All Quiet

Week 13                      World at War

                                                Finish All Quiet

Week 14                      Between the Wars

                                                “Nationalism , Revolution and Dictatorship”

Week 15                      A Second World War

                                                “The Crisis Deepens”

Week 16                      Aftermath of War

                                                “In the Grip of the Cold War” and “Brave New World”

Week 17                                  Final Exams

                        *************Exam on Monday May 9th at 8:30 p.m. *********

 

Assignments

Map quizzes

Students will complete three map quizzes during the semester.  The focus of each will be made clear to students in class.  If you miss a map quiz you automatically have one week from the test date to make it up.  All make-ups will be given in the testing center.  After one week if you have not made up the quiz you will receive a zero for that grade.  Map quizzes are January 26th, Feb. 23rd and April 27th.

            Review 1

            Review 2

            Review 3

 

Exams

Students will complete three essay exams during the semester.  A review sheet will be handed out before each exam so students are clear on what will be covered.  Make-ups are not automatically given but are decided by the instructor.  If you are aware of a problem please let the instructor know immediately and preferably before the exam.  If a make-up is granted it will be given at the testing center and will be different than the in-class exam.

            Review 1

            Review 2

            Review 3

 

Attendance/In-class Assignments

Students are expected to attendance class regularly and are responsible for all materials covered when they miss.  Periodically during the semester small in-class assignments will be given out and these cannot be made up if you miss them.  This is where missing class regularly can directly affect your grade since these assignments have small point values attached to each one.

 

Journal

Students will maintain a journal throughout the semester that will be handed in on two occasions—with the first exam and the last day of classes—May 4th .  Students can keep the journal in whatever format they wish but by the end of the semester each journal will have 15 entries, dated weekly.  Each entry should be at least 200 words and must respond to the topic of the class that week.  Students can respond to the readings and/or the class discussions—whatever interests the student each week.  Journal entries should address the following questions/concerns:

  • Topic to be explored
  • Reasons for choosing that particular topic—what did the student find interesting?
  • New information learned
  • Unanswered questions raised?
  • Connections to other aspects of history—current or past?

 

All Quiet Paper

Students will complete a paper based on the book All Quiet on the Western Front.  The papers will be 4-5 pages, typed and double-spaced.  Citations from the text can simply be the page number in parentheses in the paper.  Failure to provide proper citation will result in a failing grade on the paper.  For this paper students will be expected to choose a theme/idea and respond to it based on their reading of the text (and not one of the films—they’re different from the book).  This is not a retelling of the story but a paper that focuses on a particular aspect of the text.  Below are listed the themes you can choose from for your paper.  (If you come up with another idea that interests you let me know and it may be possible to use that theme—key is I must approve it).  The papers are due on April 20th—late papers lose 3 points each day they are overdue.

            Themes/Ideas for papers

  • Loss of innocence
  • Discussion of a character and their role
  • Main thesis/idea
  • Why is this considered a classic Anti-war novel?
  • Why were they fighting this war?
  • Comparison/contrast between the book and one of the films
  • Life as a soldier
  • Adjusting to civilian life
  • Role of authority figures
  • How do you tell people what you experienced?

 

Short Papers

Student will complete four other papers during the course of the semester.  The ideas for the papers are listed below.  There will be a lot of choice and flexibility with these papers but students must complete all four types of paper, though the order you do them in does not matter.  Each paper will be typed, double-spaced and range from 2-6 pages depending on the type of paper being completed.  The papers are due on February 2nd, March 2nd, April 6th and May 4th.  Late papers lose 3 points each day they are overdue, not counting Sundays.

            Paper #1

Students will complete one paper during the semester that places them in a historical time period.  They will be writing either a letter or diary entry explaining what their daily life was like in the time period chosen.  While this assignment is obviously creative it also must be historically accurate.  For example, if you are writing about the Reign of Terror you would not be escaping by car!  This paper should be 2-3 pages in length and be well-supported.  You can choose to create a fictional character or be someone who really did exist.  Provide proper citations as needed and a bibliography if appropriate.  Each paper will include the date of the historical time period and clear indication of who you are portraying within the paper.

            Paper #2

Students will complete another paper during the semester that is a news story detailing/chronicling a particular historical event as if you were there as either an observer or a reporter interviewing the participants.  Students can choose the event they wish to report on as long as it fits the parameters of the class.  The key to making this paper work will be finding a highly focused topic and being historically accurate in your reporting.  Papers will be typed, double-spaced and 4-6 pages.  Citations and bibliography must be included as needed.  Each paper must have a Headline, a date and a byline for the reporter.

            Paper #3

Students will complete a third paper as an editorial or propaganda piece responding to a historical event or happening.  If you are unfamiliar with editorials and their approach you should read some in the newspapers.  Again while this paper allows you to create your own response it must be supported and grounded in facts and cannot just be unsupported opinion.  Each paper will be 2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced with citations and bibliography as needed.  Again the topic you choose to write on is entirely your own as long as it fits the class parameters.  (For anyone who is especially artistic and wishes to create an editorial cartoon or propaganda poster instead please talk to me before doing so).

            Paper #4

Students will write one paper as a short biography of an important/influential historical figure.  Again students can choose who they wish to write about as long as it fits the parameters of the course.  Be sure to included citations and bibliography as needed.  Each paper will be 4-5 pages, typed and double-spaced.  The biography should include the following basic features:

  • Birth/death date
  • Family background
  • Education—if known and pertinent
  • Major contributions to history
  • Why you chose this person

 

Students can complete these papers in any order that they wish but must do one of each type by the end of the semester.  The due dates for each paper are listed under the course outline.  All late papers lose three points for each day they are late, except Sundays.  For example, if the paper is due on Wednesday and you hand it in on Friday it loses 6 points.