HS 114 The World in the Twentieth-Century

M/W/F 11:00 Spring 2009

 

Instructor: Professor Stephanie Guerin

Room: HU011

Office location & hours:  By appointment only before or after class in HU011

Contact Information:  I can be reached via e mail Stephanie.Guerin@montgomerycollege.edu or when the mymc server is down you may also send to prof.guerin.mcc@verizon.net.  

Textbook:  There are two texts you must purchase for the class.  Additional readings may be assigned however I will provide copies for you.

Twentieth-Century World History, 4th edition: Duiker

          ISBN:0-495-09592-3

A History of Our Time: Readings in Postwar America, 7th Edition: Chafe & Sitkoff

          ISBN-13: 9780195320367

 

Class Overview: My course is based on a global perspective of the world and human interactions. Focuses is placed on the Industrial Revolution, global developments in trade, economics, social change and Imperialism. The origins and aftermath of two world wars; the birth of mass movements and mass society; the crisis of democracy and the rise of communism and fascism; the emergence of the superpowers; modernization, conflicts, and revolutions in the non-Western world as well as political processes in Africa, Asia and Latin America.. Students will refine their analytical abilities and critical thinking skills through questions of causation in order to understand historical and geographical context, make comparisons across cultures, use documents and other primary sources, and recognize and discuss different interpretations and historical frameworks, continuity and change within the themes of this course.

 

Twentieth-Century World History Themes:

1. The relationship of change and continuity from 19th to 20th century.

2. Creation, expansion, and interactions of economic systems and the impact of technological advances on a global scale.

3. Impact of interaction among and within major societies with consideration for social and gender structures.

4. Cultural, religious, and intellectual developments world wide.

5. Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and political identities.

 

Outcomes: 

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.      Evaluate the relative merits of various forms of source materials.

2.      Assess the impact of geography upon the development and character of 20th century world.

3.      Understand the economic and political process that has taken us into the 21st century.

4.      Describe the distinguishing characteristics and salient events within Europe, Asia, America and Latin America singularly and as a whole.

5.      Identify features of the 19th century modified or absorbed into later Modern Society.

6.      Understand the manner of and reasons for the spread of the Ism’s of our times…(Capitalism, Imperialism, Nationalism, Socialism and Communism)

In other words, the student is expected to gain familiarity with the broad trends of the twentieth century and be conversant in the geographic, economic, political, social, technological and individual influences that have contributed to our current millennium.  Students will be responsible for a basic geographic knowledge, in addition to the key historical figures and events, and will be expected to think critically about cause and effect in history, and about the relative value of historical sources.

Attendance:   Much will be presented in class that is not found in the texts and vice versa, and you will be responsible for all of it.  If you foresee missing class for some reason, please talk to me beforehand. If you are ill, I will excuse the absence provided you furnish a valid medical excuse.  I will always provide you with the Power Point presentation of the day’s lecture that you missed but you are responsible for the specific material within that days lecture. You will have to make arrangements with a classmate to get the class notes.  Lateness and chronic absence will result in a decreased letter grade or an involuntary withdrawal from the class may result. Late assignments and papers are unacceptable and will also result in a diminished letter grade.

Grades:   Grades will consist of quizzes, chapter questions and in class exercises that are designed to prepare and asses you on class outcomes. A final examination including examination comprising identifications and critical thinking essays is scheduled for May 13th from 10:15 to 12:15. Attendance and class participation are taken into consideration when final grades are due.

Paper Assignments: The specific criteria for the paper assignment will be announced and a rubric will be attached for clarity.  I expect a properly written English paper.  If you think you might need assistance, please make an appointment with our wonderful Reading and Writing Center in Humanities 021 listed under Support Services.

These are a few of my writing pet peeves:

·         Know the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing. 

·         State a thesis and stick to the main topic of the paper.    

·         Please make your paragraphs transition and flow from one idea to another.      

·         Do not solely rely on spell check. Pay attention to your tenses and the proper usage of a word.

·         If you use a quote and do not cite the author it is plagiarism.

·         Realize when an idea is not your own and use proper citations. 

·         Do not use your formal voice when writing a formal paper.  I do not want to ready a paper as if one is talking to a friend…

 

Use the assignment rubric that I provide. I am not asking you to read my mind, just follow my directionsJ

Classroom Conduct:  Be polite and courteous and listen to my opinions and the opinions of your classmates without interrupting. Always raise your hand when addressing me and please do not talk over me in class. Never assume my comments are prejudice or opinionated but if you do feel offended for any reasons please see me for clarification as soon as possible.  I like to stay on task so if you have any questions that do not pertain to the issues at hand please discuss them with me after class.  Insults or cursing are unacceptable.  Please make sure your cell phones, pagers, etc. are turned off and I have a no lap top policy in my class.

Academic Honesty:   It is expected that the work you turn in is your own.  Cheating on exams or quizzes will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic F on the exam or quiz in question.  Plagiarized papers will suffer a similar fate.  Moreover, they are very easy to detect. Don’t try it.  And for that reason you will be responsible to submit your written work electronically as well as a hard copy to me upon the date and time the assignment is due. For more information you may consult the Student Code of Conduct, Section IV.

Cancellation of ClassesMontgomery College class cancellations due to weather or other emergency conditions are broadcast on local TV or radio stations.  You may also call 240-567-5000.  If for any reason I am not in class at the designated start time, and you are not informed of my tardiness then you may leave class after 20 minutes. That means 11:20!

Support Services:  A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to see me and a letter from Disability Support Services (DSS) authorizing your accommodations will be needed.  The DSS office is located in the Counseling and Advising Building Room 122, or you may phone 240-567-5058 (or 301-294-9672) for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Those students who do not feel comfortable writing in the English language may wish to avail themselves of the service provided in the Reading and Writing Center in the basement of the Humanities Building (HU 02,240-567-7402). The Center offers reading, writing and grammar tutoring as well as help with paper writing and revision.  The Computer Writing Laboratory located in Macklin Tower 20 provides word processing and instructional software for grammar, reading and writing which may also be helpful.