World History Since 1500
H-112, Spring, 2025
Instructor
Roger B. Beck
E-mail
rb172@evansville.edu
Course Meeting Days and Time
Monday/Wednesday, 2:00 to 3:15
Required Experiential Learning Dates
Office Hours
[Type your office hours here]
Catalog Description:
HIST-112 World History Since 1500 (3 credits)
A survey of the past 500 years of world history and the events, people, and forces that have
shaped the modern world. An overarching theme will be the various “isms” that have partly
influenced each era – such as industrialism, Marxism, fascism, environmentalism, feminism, and
colonialism. Extra time will be devoted to place in historical context topics that are particularly
relevant in today’s world – Israel/Palestine, China, the Japanese “Exception,” and India. Particular
emphasis will be placed on science, gender relations, economic inequality, and climate change.
Credit Hour Policy Statement:
Standard lecture:
“This class meets the federal credit hour policy of 1 hour of class with an expected 2 hours of additional student work outsi de
of class each week for approximately 15 weeks for each hour of credit, or a total of 45-75 total hours for each credit.” (Def 1)
General Education Requirements:
This course meets the General Education requirements for [Choose an outcome] Overlay A International Diversity.
Course Learning Objectives:
A. Develop a global and historical approach to studying events occurring in today’s world.
B. Complete the course with an understanding of some of the major themes in world history since 1500.
C. Place key events, individuals, and ideas of the past 500 years in historical context.
D. Understand the forces that shape the ecological, political, philosophical, religious, and economic identities of diverse
peoples in different regions of the world.
E. Intelligently discuss the impact of ideologies and war on the 20
th
century world.
F. Have a broader understanding of such current global problems as climate change, immigration, gender, and racism.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
In addition, the course is designed for you to develop and demonstrate the following skills that are not discipline-specific
but that are particularly well-developed among historians.
1) Critical thinking skills through analyzing and documenting written primary and secondary sources.
2) Writing skills through formulating research and analysis into coherent, clear arguments while demonstrating mastery of
grammar, style, organization, and clarity.
3) Visual literacy through analyzing and documenting images and structures such as paintings, architecture, material
culture, political cartoons, film.
4) Presentation/public speaking through classroom discussion.
Methods of Instructions:
Primarily by lecture and class discussion. Audio-visual materials will be introduced where appropriate.
Textbooks and Required Reading:
Weisner-Hanks, Ebrey, Beck, Davila, Crowston, Kay,
A History of World Societies,
vol. 2 (Bedford/St. Martins, 12
th
ed., 2021)
2 novels of student’s choice selected from distributed list
Other on-line readings as assigned.
Course Schedule:
[Schedule with Topics and Assignments. Note any required field trips and submission dates for examinations and assessed work. Provide a
list with sufficient detail to justify time requirements.]
Monday, 01/13/2025 – Introduction – The “Old World” at the beginning of the early “Modern” Age
Wednesday, 01/15/2025 – The World 1400-1700: European Renaissance, Reformation, Expansion, and Commercial Capitalism
Monday, 01/20/2025 – The World 1400-1700: Europe and the Americas
Wednesday, 01/22/2025 – The World 1400-1700: Africa, the Slave Trade, and the Plantation System
Monday, 01/27/2025 -- Religious, and Scientific Revolutions
Wednesday, 01/29/2025 – Intellectual and Cultural Revolutions
Monday, 02/3/2025 – Political Revolutions
Wednesday, 02/05/2025 -- First Exam
Monday, 02/10/2025 – The First Industrial Revolution
Wednesday, 02/12/2025 – Revolution and Neocolonialism in Latin America
Monday, 02/17/2025 – Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and South Asia
First No ve l R eview D ue
Wednesday, 02/19/2025 – The Japanese Exception
Monday, 02/24/2025 – The Japanese Exception
Wednesday, 02/26/2025 – Second Industrial Revolution and European Imperialism
Friday, 02/28/2025 – 03/09/2025 MID-TERM BREAK
Monday, 03/10/2025 – The Scramble for Africa
Wednesday, 03/12/2025 – Seco nd Exa m
Monday, 03/17/2025 – Israel/Palestine and Southwest Asia
Wednesday, 03/19/2025-- Israel/Palestine and Southwest Asia
Monday, 03/24/2025 – India, Gandhi, and Indian Independence
Wednesday, 03/26/2025 – The First World War
Se co nd Novel R evi e w Due
Monday, 03/31/2025 – Russia and the Russian Revolution
Wednesday, 04/02/2025 – Third Exam
Monday, 04/07/2025 – China Awakes
Wednesday, 04/09/2025 – The Chinese Revolution
Monday, 04/14/2025 – The Global Great Depression and World War II
Wednesday, 04/16/2025 -- The Cold War
Monday, 04/21/2025 – Catch-up and review
Wednesday, 04/23/2025 – Fina l Exa m
Grading Criteria:
Two reaction/reflection papers for two novels selected by student from distributed list (10% each) – 20%
First Exam – 15%
Second Exam – 15%
Third Exam – 20%
Fourth Exam – 20%
Attendance and Class Participation – 10%
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AI may be used only with prior permission or direction by the instructor.
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