The History of WorldCivilizations
OR

World History
 

 
 

History V18B
World Civilizations II: 1500 to the Present
Instructor: Michael Ward
Voice mail: 655-5759
Office: K-21

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The History of World Civilizations

Welcome to History 18A: World Civilizations.  This course will survey selected representative histories of the world’s cultural systems from prehistory through the fifteenth century.  Comparative world history can give voice to many diverse peoples and what they have had to say about their own origins and events as well as bring to light historic trends in cultural development.  From Western perspectives familiar to most Americans, such an approach to history serves to demystify and contextualize seemingly isolated or unique events (the rise of capitalism and democracy, for examples) and connect them to cultural systems worldwide.  In other words, from a world history approach, there are no isolated histories, and all societies and their stories are connected as participants in a worldwide cultural system.  Although emphasis will be given to mainstream developments and events that occurred over wide regions covering a great span of time, we will nevertheless examine many of the cultural and sub-cultural roots of world civilizations from prehistory of the advent of nationalism and the creation of the nation state.  Diverse traditional lifeways and historical viewpoints are important aspects of world cultures, and though it is impossible to make an in-depth examination of all these different perspectives, we surely can gain an insight into several of them during the course of this semester.

Topical lectures will consist of presentations on various themes relating the changing social, political, and economic climates affecting the development of world civilizations and their histories.  Though topical, these presentations will follow a chronology that reflects mainstream world history, focusing on the spatial relationships between different peoples and events rather than the chronological timetable in which these events unfolded.  Our investigation into world history will also pay particular attention to what various indigenous peoples of the world have had to say about their own history (or about Western perspectives of their history).  I will provide outline handouts for each lecture, with relevant terms, many of which will be used in the quizzes and the exam.

Course Assignments:

There will be one quiz and two examinations (midterm and final) for this course, each involving answers to questions which identify terms taken from the class lecture/ outline handouts and readings.  The quiz and exams are NOT cumulative; once we complete the information for each of these assignments we will be through with that material.  The quiz will consist of an objective “fill-in-the-blank” section and an IDs section that both pertain to the class lectures and discussions and the textbook, so it is important to take notes during lecture and class discussions and keep up on your reading.  In addition to these two sections there will be essays questions on the midterm and final exams related to the assigned readings.  There will be no surprises, and I will inform you about what to expect on the exams by supplying a list of the terms, IDs, and the essay questions well before each test.  In this way you will have time to prepare outlines and gather your thoughts, make your arguments, etc. prior to the exam itself.  If you attend the class lectures regularly, and perform all of the assigned readings, you should have no problems with the exams.  If there are any concerns or special needs in these areas, be sure to let me know about them.

In addition to the examinations, there are two additional assignments intended to be both enlightening and enjoyable.  The first of these is a cultural events assignment that requires you to attend a place (a museum for example) or an event (such as an ethnic fair or demonstration).  After your experience you will be required to write a brief two-page report about the adventure and your reaction to it.  The goal of this assignment is to introduce you to experiences reflecting history (even world history) and culture in our area, and particularly its diversity.  I will supply you with a handout detailing this assignment early in the semester.  
 
 
 

The breakdown of the grading will be as follows:
         Attendance                           10 %
          Current Event                         10%
          1st Midterm Exam #1                                25%
         2nd Midterm Exam                      25%
         Final Exam                            30%_
         Total                                    100%

These are the percentages that make up the total amount for your grade.  The final grade will be determined by how each individual score meets a standard scale (though I may adjust the scale to reflect the performance of the class overall).  In this way, it should be fairly simple to earn a "C," but also challenging to get an "A."  Regular attendance and class participation are important to achieving a high grade for this course, and will be given special consideration when I evaluate borderline grades, so please be sure to ATTEND CLASS REGULARLY.

Disclaimers and other important information related to student responsibilities:

One make-up quiz or one late paper may be accepted, pursuant to the instructor’s discretion.  Out of fairness to those students who complete their work on time, 20% of the points earned will be deducted from the score of all late work.  Students must complete any acceptable make-up exams or late papers within two weeks of the original exam date or due date.  Moreover, each and all students must take and pass the final examination in order to pass the course.

Students who miss a class in the first three weeks may be dropped from the course.  Students who miss nine or more hours of class over the first two months may be dropped at the instructor’s discretion.  Pay attention to the calendar, add-drop deadlines, etc.  It is YOUR responsibility to submit all required forms relative to your enrollment so know the deadlines for submitting such materials.

If you have any questions or reservations about the curriculum, or about your ability to perform the assigned tasks, let's talk about it.  I am committed to your success in this class, and to helping you to achieve your goals at Ventura College.  With that in mind, I will be available for consultation in my office (K-21) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  I can also be reached by voice mail and email (I will return all calls and emails).

I look forward to this semester’s adventure of investigation into history of World Civilizations.  I plan to have fun, and I hope that the experience will be challenging to you, but also informative, enlightening, and fun too.

Required texts:

There are two required books for this course and additional readings will be supplied as we encounter various topics related to the History of World Civilizations.

Bulliet, Richard W., et al., The Earth and Its People: A Global History, Volume II, Since 1500 (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company,, 2001); ISBN: 061800078X

Reilly, Kevin, Worlds of History: A Comparative Reader, Volume Two: Since 1400, Boston and New York: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2000).