Global History: The Modern World (250-2-20)

Instructors

Daniel Immerwahr
847/491-7418
Harris Hall - Room 225

Meeting Info

Harris Hall 107: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

This course introduces the main episodes and themes of modern history. Unlike other history classes, however, its focus isn't on a particular region or country, but the whole planet. That broad scope will allow us to study large-scale phenomena such as empire, industrial technology, communism, the two world wars, pandemics, and globalization. We'll particularly look at humanity's adoption of fossil fuels, and the prosperity, inequality, and environmental changes that resulted.

Learning Objectives

Foundation discipline: Historical Studies, with Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity overlay. Students will learn to identify and explain the events, forces, and ideas that have shaped modern global History; assess historical sources as well as arguments that cite them; develop original arguments based on their independent interpretation of sources; engage with scholarship about the events, structures, and practices that have shaped human interaction in the modern era; explore political and cultural differences from multiple perspectives, including those of situated historical actors and those of recent scholars; and explain key issues driving disparities of power in the modern era—including imperialism, climate change, globalization, migration, and war—and demonstrate how they can be mutually reinforcing.

Evaluation Method

Quizzes, 10%; Writing, 25%, Exams, 50%, Class participation, 10%

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): Global, Americas, Asia/Middle East, Africa/Middle East, Europe
History Minor Concentration(s): United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity

Associated Classes

DIS - University Hall 312: Wed 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Hall 412: Wed 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Hall 412: Wed 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G28: Wed 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 412: Wed 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Wed 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - University Hall 112: Thurs 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - University Hall 118: Thurs 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Thurs 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G29: Thurs 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Thurs 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Wed 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Thurs 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - University Library 3670: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM