His 479/592                                         SYLLABUS                            Prof. Moss                       

Mondays 5:30-8:10PM

 

 

Office Hours: M 5:00-5:30 PM, MWF, 8:30-9:00 AM & 10-11:00 AM and by appt.; 487-3067.  email =wmoss@emich.edu or waltmoss@gmail.com. Web site with links = http://people.emich.edu/wmoss

                                   

Required Reading:   Walter G. Moss, An Age of Progress? Clashing Twentieth Century Global Forces (Anthem Press, 2008) and assigned Internet readings.

 

Suggested Reading:  If you do not have much background on twentieth-century global history, you may wish to occasionally consult a basic text such as one of the more recent editions of The Twentieth Century and Beyond (McGraw-Hill, 2008).  I have a few extra copies of the 6th ed. if anyone would like to borrow one.  I will also email you a list of web sites that contain background info.

 

Course Format:

Primarily discussion based upon regular reading of required materials.  Readings are to be done BEFORE class so that they may be discussed. Discussions will center on the Study Guide Questions, which I will email to you.  For, example for our first class students should come to class prepared to discuss questions 1 to 5 of the SG for CH1.  Class participation is expected.  Video and/or slide materials may occasionally be presented.  Note: There are Maps, a Chronology, a Glossary, and almost 30 pages of Endnotes in your text.  You will find them helpful in preparing for class.

 

DATE                          TOPIC                                                 READING*

 

Sep      8          War & Violence I                                CH 1 (to p. 22) & 1 online reading**

 

15        War & Violence II                                CH 1 (pp. 22-35) 1 online reading,

 

            22        Science & Technology              CH 2 & 1 online reading          

                       

            29        Capitalism, Soc. & Communism            CH 3 & 1 online reading

 

Oct      6          Imperialism, Racism, Nationalism         CH 4 (to p. 106) & 1 online reading    

                       

13        Westernization, Globalization &            CH 4 (pp. (106-22); 1 online reading

                        Student Presentations

                       

            20        Mid-semester exam                              Review CHs 1-4 & class notes

 

27        Freedom                                              CH 5 (up to p. 138); 1 online reading

                                   

Nov       3        Human Rights                                       CH 5 (pp. 138-54); 1 online reading

 

            10        Popul., Resources, Urbanization            CH 6 (up to p. 170); 1 online reading

 

            17        Pollution, Changing Mentalities  CH 6 (pp. 170-88); 1 online reading

                        Film: An Inconvenient Truth

                                               

            24        Culture & Social Criticism                     CH 7; 1 online reading

                       

Dec      1          Cult., Science, Ed., Relig. Values          CH 8; 1 online reading

 

            8          An Age of Progress?                            Ch 9; 1 online reading

 

            15        Final Exam                                           Review CHs 5-9 & class notes

 

*  All chapters are from Moss, An Age of Progress?(AOP)

**Online readings will be taken mainly from web sites mentioned in AOP endnotes; you should select 1 online reading, in addition to your text chapter or portion thereof, for each class.  I will mention some preferred online readings for the following week at the end of each class.  Having you read some different online readings should stimulate our discussions.  Displaying that you have done the assigned readings for each class will figure prominently in the “class participation” portion of your grade.

 

GRADING  

 

            2 EXAMS--55% (1st = 25%; Final =30%)

            1 WRITTEN REPORT--25%--see + below

            CLASS PARTICIPATION--20%

 

+ Each student will prepare a research paper (minimum of 3,000 words) on some aspect of the topics or sub-topics dealt with in the nine chapters of AOP.  Your choice of topics must be approved by me no later than Oct 6th.  Your paper is due on or before Nov 24th.  Late papers will be penalized.

 

Note:  Make-up exams will only be given if a valid and verifiable excuse is presented. Otherwise an "0" will be received.  Extended vacation time for personal or family vacations is not a valid reason for missing an exam. Anyone caught cheating on an exam or plagiarizing on a paper will receive a “0” for the exam or paper.