Description:

This course provides students an introduction to the history of the world since approximately 1500. Upon successful completion, students will be able to describe and analyze the development of modernism, which occurred first in the West, including the scientific revolution, secularism, industrialism and the rise of new political ideologies. They will be able to trace the expansion of modernization in both the Western and non-Western worlds and the response to modernism in non-Western countries. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the major events and trends in modern world history.
2. Discuss the concept of modernization as it developed in the West.
3. Describe the origins of modernization in the West and discuss the conditions surrounding its birth and development.
4. Describe the paths to modernization taken by the principal non-Western societies, the impediments to modernization, and progress achieved by these societies.
5. Compare and contrast the modernization of the societies studied and derive generalizations about modernization from them.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I.  Traditional Societies on the Eve of the Modern World
   A. Describe the major developments and trends in East Asia, 1500-1800.
      1. Identify Ch’ing Dynasty China and delineate the major
developments and trends of its history.
      2. Identify Tokugawa Japan and delineate the major developments and
trends of its history.
   B. Describe the major developments and trends in Africa, the Middle
East, and India in the period 1500-1800.
      1. Describe the major developments and historical trends in Safavid
Persia.
      2. Describe the major developments and historical trends in the
Ottoman Empire.
      3. Describe the major developments and historical trends in Mughal
India.
      4. Describe the major developments and trends in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
   C. Describe Europe’s traditional societies and the European
explorations and expansion in the early modern period.
      1. Describe the characteristics and major developments of the
traditional societies in Europe in the early modern period.
      2. Trace the development of absolutism in early modern Europe and
delineate its characteristics.
      3. Describe the major developments and characteristics of the
Renaissance.
      4. Describe the major developments and ideas of the Protestant
Reformation.
      5. Describe the major developments in the European explorations and
conquests of the 15th and 16th centuries.
      6. Describe the major developments of the scientific revolution of
early modern Europe.
      7. Describe the European-American syntheses as they emerged in Latin
America and English North America.

II. The Revolutionary West and the World
   A. Discuss how the West revolutionized itself.
      1. Describe the political revolutions of the 18th and early 19th
centuries.
         a. Delineate the main events of the American Revolution and
discuss its significance for world history.
         b. Delineate the main events of the French Revolution and discuss
its significance for world history.
         c. Describe the new political ideologies of liberalism,
democracy, and socialism.
      2. Describe the major developments of the Industrial Revolution.
   B. Describe the British conquest of India and the development of modern
institutions in that country.
   C. Delineate the main events in the European division of Africa and
compare the principal interpretations of that development.
   D. Delineate the main events of 19th century Chinese history and
describe the Western intrusion and the Chinese reaction.
   E. Describe Japan’s response to the Western challenge as manifested in
the Meiji Restoration and Japan’s modernization in the second half of the
19th century.
   F. Describe the special case of Thailand and show how its modernization
resembled Japan’s.
   G. Describe the unstable synthesis of traditional and modern elements
in 19th century Latin America.
   H. Compare and contrast the response of each of these countries to the
challenge of the modernized West.

III. The Re-Emergent World and the West
   A. Describe the principal challenges to modernized European society and
culture in the 20th century.
      1. Discuss the crisis in modern European thought in the works of
such thinkers as Freud and his followers, modern physicists, and
socialists.
      2. Describe the main events of the First World War and that war’s
effect in shaking the self-confidence of liberal Western societies.
      3. Describe the main ideas of Lenin and delineate the major events
of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia.
      4. Trace the main developments in the rise of Fascism and Nazism;
delineate the most important events of World War II.
      5. Recount the European loss of world dominance following the Second
World War.
   B. Describe the decolonization of the non-Western world.
      1. Describe the development of the major anti-colonial ideologies.
         a. Describe the principal ideas, figures, and events of
non-Western nationalism.
         b. Describe the major socialist movements in the non-Western
world and analyze their effect on the decolonization process.
      2. Describe the decolonization of the following areas:
         a. The Arab World
         b. India
         c. Africa
      3. Describe the Chinese and other Leninist revolutions in the
non-Western world.
   C. Describe the principal developments in the non-Western world since
decolonization.
      1. Discuss the problems of development, including population growth,
agricultural adjustments, attempts to industrialize, and struggles for
stable political institutions.
      2. Describe recent developments in:
         a. Japan
         b. The most rapidly modernizing Pacific Rim countries
         c. China
         d. Southeast Asia
         e. The Indian Subcontinent
         f. The Middle East
         g. Africa
         h. Latin America
   D. Describe the major trends in the Western world since World War II,
including the following areas:
      1. Eastern Europe
      2. Western Europe and the English-speaking countries outside
Europe

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. At least three examinations emphasizing written answers.  

2. One book review or other paper.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.