The student will be able to describe the history and  development of Western Civilization and its impact on the world from 1815 to the present. The student will identify and analyze the political, economic and intellectual movements that influenced the Western European mind. The student will examine the character of the evolving modern nation state system through the wars of unification, overseas expansion, and the competitive national rivalries. The student will evaluate the underlying factors influencing the events that shaped the modern world, including two World Wars and the Cold War. The student will examine how the post-1945 conditions affect the attitudes and makeup of the former colonial world. (This course was formerly HIST-102. This course is a core general education course and is also a social science and arts and sciences elective.)

Although the course activities of a TeleWeb course are conducted online, much of the course material is presented through pre-produced telecourse videos. Students will be required to view these videos. Videos are available on HCC TV cablecast or Maryland Public Television broadcast. This course has videos available via video streaming from the HCC Library homepage.

Overall Course Objectives | Major Course Topics | Course Format | Orientation | Course Requirements | Texts and Materials | Exams | Course Web Site

• Identify the geographic and political features of the areas studied in each unit.
• Summarize the major economic, political, and social causes which led to the Industrial Revolution, and the resultant changes in society.
• Contrast the disparate industrial development of Europe with that of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.
• Analyze the reaction of post-Napoleonic Europe to the threat of political and social revolution.
• Identify the major events and individuals involved in the latter 19th century unifications and nation building.
• Analyze the causes for European neo-Imperialism, and its relationship and effect on Africa, the Middle East, China, and South East Asia.
• Compare and contrast the motives and actions of the various European states which led to World War I.
• Summarize the major economic, political, intellectual, and artistic consequences of World War I.
• Describe the rise of resistance to imperial rule among colonial societies.
• Analyze the political, social, and economic conditions in Europe which led to the rise of Facism.
• Describe the triumph of Bolshevism in Russia and the rise of Stalin.
• Analyze the causes of World War II and the motivations of several participants.
• Identify the major economic and political problems following World War II.
• Describe the nature and character of the Cold War.
• Describe the rise of the Third World and its impact on Europe, as demonstrated by African and Asian nationalism, Middle Eastern oil producing countries, and lingering colonial interests.
• Evaluate the impact of the Soviet collapse and its impact on international relations.

Major Course Topics

• The Industrial Revolution
• Ideologies and Upheavals in Europe
• Unifications and Nation-building
• The West and The World
• The Road to War
• Shattered Illusions
• The Second Road to War
• World War II
• The Cold War
• The End of the Cold War

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Course Format

• Is not self-paced.
• Does not require on-campus meetings.
• Does not require real-time chats.

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Orientation

This course does not require an orientation.  Please check my email message to you for more information about the orientation and the option to participate in an online orientation.

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Course Requirements

• Review the “What you should know before you register” section of the Distance Learning Homepage.
• There are weekly quizes (normally 14).
• Three essay style tests (given in the Test Center).
• Two short papers (3-4 pages).
• One research paper (6-8 pages).
• There will be online discussions that will factor into a participation grade.

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Exams

For purposes of verification and assessing learning outcomes, this course has a proctored final exam at the HCC Test Center for students in the local region or at a regional institution for remote students. The exam will have a flexible window of time during which it needs to be taken rather than a single date and time.

If you have any questions or comments about this course, please send a message to Distance Learning, distancelearning@howardcc.edu.

Last updated on 31-Oct-06 © Howard Community College, 2000

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