Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Course Number
Course Title
HIST 141
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
None
History of Western Civilization Since the
Renaissance
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
NEW
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
18
54
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
3
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course presents the history of Western Civilization from the 16th century to the present is
presented. Emphasis is placed upon understanding the facets of modern civilization by
tracing the social, cultural, and political relationships of the past to the present. Not repeatable.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Demonstrate the ability to interpret primary and secondary sources and to compose an argument which uses them for
support.
Differentiate between interpretations used by historians to explain the same event or sequence of events.
Analyze the concept of the West.
Demonstrate an understanding of Western Civilization through multiple analytical categories, such as race, ethnicity,
class, and gender.
Analyze the social and economic organization in the western world and explain their historical significance.
Explain the historical significance of major discoveries, inventions, and scientific achievements.
Explain the historical significance of cultural developments, such as art, music, architecture, literature, and religion.
Analyze the relevancy of history in today’s world.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major sources for the study of Western Civilization.
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to differentiate between of the various historical interpretations.
Students will be able to analyze the concept of the West.
Students will be able to analyze the development and impact of political ideological trends that helped shape western
history and compare these factors to present-day challenges and current events.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Introduction to Western Civilization
a.
The nature of historical study
b.
The significance of Western civilization
c.
What is the concept of “the west?”
d.
Is history relevant in today’s world?
Transition from Medieval to Modern Europe
a.
Review of the Renaissance and Reformation
b.
The modern mind and political ideologies
c.
France under Louis XIV
d.
England and the Glorious Revolution
The Scientific Revolution
a.
The emergence of scientific interest
b.
Major discoveries from Copernicus to Newton
c.
The Newtonian world machine
Enlightenment and Empire
a.
The Seventeenth Century
b.
Absolutism and constitutionalism
c.
The "Age of Enlightenment"
d.
Aristocracy and Empire
e.
The French Revolution
Age of Democratic Revolutions and Reactions
a.
The American Revolution
b.
The French Revolution
c.
The conservative reaction
d.
End of the Spanish empire
e.
Women during revolutions
f.
Economic and social class issues
The Nineteenth Century
a.
The age of Napoleon
b.
The search for stability
c.
The industrial age
d.
A new balance of power
Rise of Nationalism and European Imperialism
a.
The unification of Germany and Italy
b.
The new imperialism
c.
Race and ethnicity
The Twentieth Century
a.
Europe in the 20th century
b.
World War I
c.
The Russian Revolution
d.
Democracy and totalitarianism
e.
World War II and its aftermath
f.
The United Nations
g.
The Cold War and the fall of communism
h.
Western civilization today and tomorrow
Contemporary Developments
a.
End of European empire
b.
Globalization
c.
American hegemony
d.
War on “Terror”
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture
Discussion (e.g. large groups, and small groups)
Audio-visual materials
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Justification Statement:
Western Civilization
J. Speilvogel, et. al.
Cengage
9th edition, volume 2, 2014
15.2
(For textbook beyond 7 years)
Lab Manual Title (if applicable):
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48-54 hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
 For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F establishes coursework should call “for critical thinking and the understanding and application of
concepts determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.”
 For degree applicable courses: List one example of critical thinking out-of-class assignments
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
3
Read chapter 14 in the textbook, and analyze the section on the opposing views concerning
“West Meets East: An Exchange of Royal Letters.” How do the accounts differ? Why are they
so different? To what audience was each author appealing? What do you think each author was
trying to achieve with their compositions?
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
3
Critique a documentary on 17-19th century Western Civilization. In a 2-3 page paper summarize
the plot of the film and address the following questions: What is the context of the film? What
historical period and what historical figures are incorporated into the film? How accurate is the
film? What parts of the film are historically accurate and what is misrepresented? 3. How does
the film expand your awareness of the past? Did the film make an impact on you and did you
find it engaging?
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Museum visit or visit to an historical site. The museum or site visit must be related to the course
time period. Provide documentary of your visit and write a two to three page report. (An
alternative project will be assigned if student is unable to visit a museum or historical site.)
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
Title 5, section 55002 (a) 2A requires that the grade be based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter.
 For degree applicable courses: Course requires essay writing, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems
appropriate, problem solving exercises, or skills demonstrations by students.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F requires that coursework call for critical thinking and the understanding and application of
concepts determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.
 For degree applicable courses: List (an) example(s) of methods of evaluation that assess critical thinking.
20
50
30
%
Essay
Research paper.
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
%
Skills Demonstration
%
Objective Examinations
%
%
%
%
Other (describe)
Quizzes and test essays.
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Pass / No Pass
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: Manu Ampim
Date: April 9, 2014
Revised form 08/14
x
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass