HIST 2320 (formerly HIST 1120) Syllabus
Course Syllabus
HIST 2320 (formerly HIST 1120) - Modern World History (formerly Survey of World History II)
3 Credit Hours
Course Information
This course is the second half of a two-semester survey of world history. It partially fulfills the world history requirement for TBR colleges, as well as other in-state and out-of-state public and private institutions. Covers the history of the world from the sixteenth century. The units are topical in nature and in chronological format.
Note: Course title and course number changes are effective Fall 2018.
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
Analyze historical facts and interpretations concerning human history since 1500.
Analyze and compare political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious, and intellectual institutions, structures and processes across the range of historical periods and cultures in human history since 1500.
Recognize and articulate the diversity of human experience across the range of historical periods and the complexities of cultures and societies in human history since 1500.
Draw on historical perspectives from human history since 1500 to evaluate contemporary problems and issues.
Analyze the contributions to the contemporary world of past cultures and societies in human history from 1500
Satisfactory completion of Learning Support competencies or appropriate entrance exam scores. Students are required to read and write at college level.
CLASS INTRODUCTION: MODERN HISTORY AND HISTORICAL MEMORY
AGE OF EXPLORATION, 1500-1800
MUSLIM EMPIRES, 1450-1800
THE EAST ASIAN WORLD, 1400-1800
THE TRANSFORMATION OF EUROPE: THE REFORMATION, ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM, 1715
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND ENLIGHTENMENT, 1550-1800
FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON, 1789-1815
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND NATIONALISM, 1800-1870
MASS SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY, 1870-1914
EAST ASIA IN TRANSITION, 1800-1870
HEIGHT OF IMPERIALISM, 1800-1914
WAR AND REVOLUTION, 1914-1919
THE WEST BETWEEN THE WARS, 1919-1939
WORLD WAR II, 1939-1945
THE COLD WAR AND POSTWAR CHANGES, 1945-1970
THE CONTEMPORARY WESTERN WORLD, 1970-PRESENT
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."
Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.
Minimum software requirements can be found here.
Common applications you might need:
- To read a PDF file download the latest version of Adobe Reader here
- Don't have Microsoft Word? Explore an alternative OpenOffice here
- Accessing a PowerPoint file? Download the PowerPoint Viewer here
Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)
The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook
- Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
- Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
- Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.
Instructor Information
Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.
Participation, Assessments, & Grading
The three unit exams are timed (90 minutes/1 hour and 30 minutes) and are to be taken WITHOUT the use of any materials (textbook, notes, internet, etc.).
Your course grade will be based on the sum of the fifteen scores for the module response assignments and the three scores from unit exams. See the Exams page or the "Calendar" for exam dates.
Assignments and Projects:
Discussion Response Assignments 1-15, 10 points each, 150 points total, 50% of final grade
- Discussion 1, 10 points: Modern History and Historical Memory
- Discussion 2, 10 points: Reformation and Religious Wars
- Discussion 3, 10 points: Age of Exploration, 1500-1800
- Discussion 4, 10 points: East Asian World, 1400-1800
- Discussion 5, 10 points: Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Europe
- Discussion 6, 10 points: Muslim Gunpowder Empires, 1450-1800
- Discussion 7, 10 points: Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
- Discussion 8, 10 points: American and French Revolutions
- Discussion 9, 10 points: Rise of Nationalism and Liberalism
- Discussion 10, 10 points: Industrial Revolutions, 1800-1870
- Discussion 11, 10 points: Height of Imperialism, 1800-1914
- Discussion 12, 10 points: War and Revolution, 1914-1919
- Discussion 13, 10 points: West Between the Wars, 1919-1939
- Discussion 14, 10 points: World War II, 1939-1945
- Discussion 15, 10 points: Cold War and Postwar Changes, 1945-1970
Exams, 50 points each, 150 points total, 50% of final grade
First Exam, 50 points
The first exam will cover modules 2-6.
Second Exam, 50 points
The second exam will cover modules 7-11.
Final Exam, 50 points
The final exam will cover modules 12-15.
I also take effort and improvement into account in the assignment of course grades. In the assignment of the semester grade, a student's effort and/or improvement may make up for a shortage of one or two points toward a particular grade. In my evaluation of effort and improvement I consider the completion of optional quizzes and alternative assignments, improvement in test scores during the semester, and participation in online class discussions.
Your course grade will be based on the number of points that you earn in the class.
270-300 points | A |
240-269 points | B |
210-239 points | C |
180-209 points | D |
Below 179 points | F |
Policy on Completion of the Reading Assignments:
Completion of the reading assignments is important. You are responsible for all assigned readings according to the OBJECTIVES AND INSTRUCTIONS page found at the beginning of each module. If you are having difficulties keeping up with the class or the reading assignments, please contact me.
Alternative Assignments (BONUS):
In addition to the work outlined above, there will also be an opportunity to earn as much as ten extra points by completing an extra credit module. See the "COURSE CONTENT" page and click on the "Extra Credit Module" link for details.
Withdrawal Information:
If you decide to drop this class and fail to do so by the deadline, you will receive a grade for the course based on the work you completed, or did not complete.
Students must participate in discussions through posting responses to the module discussion topics and the responses of other students. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the instructor concerning any questions they may have about the course.
Students should consult the course calendar for due dates of module response assignments and exams.
Course Ground Rules
The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:
RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
Read the document in its entirety here.
1. Standards of Conduct:
- Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.
2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:
- In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.
Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
- to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
- or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.
Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution. Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.
In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.
Other Course Rules:
Students are expected to:
- Participate in all aspects of the course
- Communicate with other students
- Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
- Keep abreast of course announcements
- Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
- Address technical problems immediately:
- Observe course netiquette at all times.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
- Always include a subject line.
- Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
- Use standard fonts.
- Do not send large attachments without permission.
- Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
- Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussions:
- Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
- Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
- Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
- Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
- Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
- Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
- Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Library
The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.
Students with Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
Syllabus Changes
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.