Montgomery College (Rockville Campus)

History and Political Science Department

Seneca Valley High School

 

 

The World in the Twentieth Century

Syllabus

Spring 2009

 

 

HS 114                                                        

MW 09:15-10:30am                 

Room:  239

Professor:  Jonathan Delaney

Email:  Jonathan.Delaney@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone:  910-514-8493

Department phone:  240-567-5178

 

 

Course Textbook:

William J. Duiker, Twentieth-Century World History (fourth edition)

 

Brief Course Information:

This course focuses on the global developments that have led to the contemporary world, starting with the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent Congress of Vienna; moving on to nationalism in 19th century Europe, imperialism and the outbreak of World War I; the crisis of democracy and the resumption of hostilities in World War II; the Cold War and autonomous processes in Africa, Asia and Latin America; and, finally, the emerging new world order.

 

Course Objective:

This course will familiarize students with the legacy of the 19th century and the political, social and economic developments that have shaped the 20th century.  Students will learn the cause and continuing effects of significant historical events.  Through studying what has come before, students will be able to provide a critique of contemporary events.

 

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required.  Students are allowed to miss as many classes as the class meets per week for unexcused reasons.  Excessive absence will result in withdrawal from the course.

 

Academic Dishonesty:

Of any kind (cheating, plagiarism, etc) will not be tolerated an/d will result in an F for that exercise.  When quoting, using facts and statistics, etc, please cite sources.

 

In addition, it is the responsibility of students to understand all college-wide policies, such as the use of student email, classroom conduct, etc.  Relevant information is available on the College website.

 

Disability:

Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me.  A letter from Disability Support Services authorizing your accommodation will be needed.  

 

Make-up Policy:

If exceptional circumstances require your absence on the day of the mid/final exam, you must contact me prior to the exam.  Doing otherwise will result in an F for that exercise.

 

Assessment:

This is primarily a lecture course but class participation is also vital, so please come to class having completed the reading assignment and ready to discuss the topic.  Several movies will be watched and discussed in class. 

 

Course grades will be determined by class participation (5 points), a two-page essay (10 points), one test (15 points), a mid-term exam (30 points) and a final exam (40 points).

 

Grading is as follows:

A=90-100

B= 80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F= 59 or less

 

Important Dates:

Feb. 16                     Presidents’ Day – no class

Feb. 23                     Essay due

Mar. 11                    Mid-term exam

Mar. 16                    MC Spring Break – no class

Mar. 18                    MC Spring Break – no class

Apr. 6                        MCPS Spring Break – no class

Apr. 8                        MCPS Spring Break – no class

Apr. 13                     MCPS Holiday – no class

Apr. 22                     Test

May 18                     Final exam

 

Finally, please feel free to contact me by email or phone with any questions or comments during the course of the semester.

 

 

Course Schedule

 

 

Jan. 26                      Introduction to HS 114

 

Jan. 28                      SVHS closed (snow day)

 

Feb. 2                                    1789-1848

                                    Lecture class

 

Feb. 4                                    The Rise of Industrial Society in the West

                                    Duiker, chapter 1

 

Feb. 9                                    The High Tide of Imperialism

                                    Duiker, chapter 2

 

Feb. 11                     East Asia Under Challenge

                                    Duiker, chapter 3

 

Feb. 16                      Presidents’ Day – no class

 

Feb. 18                     War and Revolution

                                    Duiker, chapter 4

                                   

Feb. 23                     Nationalism, Revolution and Dictatorship

                                    Duiker, chapter 5

                                    Essay due

 

Feb. 25                     The Rise of Dictatorial Regimes

                                    Duiker, chapter 6, pp. 112-117

                                    *Additional reading assignment TBC

 

Mar. 2                       War and Peace

                                    Duiker, chapter 6, pp. 117-134

                                    *Additional reading assignment TBC

 

Mar. 4                       The Cold War

                                    Duiker, chapter 7

 

Mar. 9                       North and South America

                                    Duiker, chapter 8

 

Mar. 11                    Mid-term Exam

 

Mar. 16                     MC Spring Break – no class

 

Mar. 18                     MC Spring Break – no class

 

Mar. 23                    The Rise and Fall of Communism

                                    Duiker, chapter 9, pp. 181-192

                                    *Additional reading assignment TBC

 

Mar. 25                    The Rise and Fall of Communism (cont.)

                                    Duiker, chapter 9, pp. 192-198

                                    *Additional reading assignment TBC

 

Mar. 30                    Postwar Europe

                                    Duiker, chapter 10

 

Apr. 1                        North Atlantic Treaty Organization

                                    *Reading assignment TBC

 

Apr. 6                                    MCPS Spring Break – no class

 

Apr. 8                                    MCPS Spring Break – no class

 

Apr. 13                      MCPS Holiday – no class

 

Apr. 15                     The European Union

                                    *Reading assignment TBC

 

Apr. 20                     The United Nations

                                    *Reading assignment TBC

 

Apr. 22                     Test

 

Apr. 27                     China Under Communism

                                    Duiker, chapter 11

 

Apr. 29                     Toward the Pacific Century?

                                    Duiker, chapter 12

 

May 4                        Nationalism Triumphant

                                    Duiker, chapter 13

 

May 6                        Emerging Africa

                                    Duiker, chapter 14

 

May 11                     Ferment in the Middle East

                                    Duiker, chapter 15

 

May 13                     Constructing a New World Order

                                    Duiker, chapter 16

 

May 18                     Final Exam