History 111: Emergence of the Modern World I
Classes:
MWF 10:30-11:20am
(Cambridge Hall 120)
MWF 12:30-1:20pm
(Cambridge Hall 120)
Instructor: Alistair Hattingh
Office: Cambridge Hall 114
Hours: MW 2:30-4pm T 9am-3pm
Phone: 826-8275
E-mail: hattingh@muskingum.edu
Course
This course offers a broad overview of the development of the modern world between 1350 and
1800. History 111 will introduce students to the societies, ideas, and institutions of Africa, Asia,
Europe, and the Americas during this period, and acquaint them with documents and writings of
enduring interest. Weekly class discussions will be an important feature of this course, allowing
students to develop and expand upon material presented in lecture and in readings. The course will
proceed chronologically, but we will cover various themes in the institutional, political,
socioeconomic, and cultural development of the world from 1350-1800.
Goals
At the end of these fifteen weeks you will not only have a grasp of the historical processes that have
shaped our world, but will also have gained some valuable skills. You will be obliged to read, think
and write analytically. The study of history requires more than the mere absorption of names, dates,
and events. Students will learn to interpret and analyze historical documents and to convey their
conclusions in a comprehensible manner both orally and on paper. Some of you will find the amount
of reading and writing demanding. Ultimately, I believe that all of you will find it rewarding.
Required Reading
1. Peter Stearns, Stephen S. Gosch, Erwin P. Grieshaber, Documents in World History, Volume 2:
The Modern Centuries: From 1500 to the Present, 4/E. Longman, 2006. (ISBN: 0-321-33258-X)
2. John Tignor, et al, Worlds Together Worlds Apart. WW Norton (ISBN: 0-393-97746-3)
3. Voltaire, David Wootton (Translator), Candide, and Related Writings, Hackett Publishing Co.
Inc. (ISBN: 0872205460)
In order aid our understanding of the themes under discussion in class, I will also show films and
video clips during the semester. I suggest that you treat these as you would the books and lectures:
i.e., take notes while watching them.
Assignments
Please do each reading before coming to the class in which we will discuss that topic. Every week
several segments of class time will be devoted to discussing the assigned books and documents. Your
participation grade will reflect your involvement in our discussions. If you do your reading in time
and participate in discussion you will then be well prepared to tackle the paper assignments. These
assignments will require you to use the readings in order to answer questions that I pose in class. In
addition to attending lectures and completing the written assignments, you will take two in-class
examinations one final exam. The format of these exams will be essay and identification questions. I
will discuss all assignments in more detail during class time. You can also find a writing guide for
History papers at: http://fates.cns.muskingum.edu/~history/guidance.html.
Muskingum College. Fall 2005. Hist 111. Syllabus. Page 2.
Grades
I will calculate your course grade as follows:
Participation/Quizzes
15%
Papers (2)
30% (10% + 20%)
In-class Exams
30% (2 x 15%)
Final (not cumulative)
25%
No assignments carry abnormally more weight than any others. Thus, those students who perform
consistently throughout the semester will gain reward for their efforts.
Academic Honesty
I expect all students to uphold Muskingum College’s standards with regard to academic honesty.
Students guilty of any incidences of dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism) will be subject to penalties that
range from failure on the assignment to dismissal from the college. These are the standards and rules
as laid out in the Student Handbook and I will have no hesitation enforcing them. Freshmen and
graduating seniors can expect equal treatment in this regard.
-----------------------------------------------------------------LECTURE SCHEDULE: (NB I will announce readings from the Stearns book in class.)
Week 1
August 28-30 September 2
Topics: Introduction. Americas and Africa.
Read: Tignor, xxvi-xxvii (Overview of the Book), 3-13.
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Week 2
September 5-7-9
Topics: Islam, India, and Christian Europe. East and SE Asia.
Read: Tignor, 13-26; 26-34.
Quiz on Tignor, pp. 3-34, Friday September 9.
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Week 3
September 12-14-16
Topics: The Mongols are coming! Rise of the Ottoman, Mughal and Safavid Empires.
Read: Tignor, 34-41; 43-58.
Map Quiz Friday September 16.
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Week 4
September 19-21-23
Topics: Ming China.
Read: Tignor, 59-66 and 66-77.
In-class exam Friday September 23.
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Week 5
September 26-28-30
Topics: Growth of European states; “Renaissance” and Reformation.
Read: Tignor, 106-110.
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Week 6
October 3-5 (FALL BREAK Thursday, Friday October 6-7)
Topics: Revival of trade in Asia. Portuguese expansion.
Read: Tignor, 79-92.
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Muskingum College. Fall 2005. Hist 111. Syllabus. Page 3.
Week 7
October 10-12-14
Topics: Spain in America. “Global” trade.
Read: Tignor, 93-117.
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Week 8
October 17-19-21
Topics: Colonial expansion in the Americas. African slave trade.
Read: Tignor, 119-136.
Paper Assignment on Documents due Friday October 21.
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Week 9
October 24-26-28
Topics: Ottoman, Mughal and Safavid Empires.
Read: Tignor, 136-141; 163-171.
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Week 10
October 31 November 2-4
Topics: Qing China; Tokugawa Japan.
Read: Tignor, 141-146; 171-176 (China) and 147-148; 176-179 (Japan).
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Week 11
November 7-9-11
Topics: European economic and political transformations.
Read: Tignor, 148-161.
In-class exam Friday November 11.
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Week 12
November 14-16-18
Topics: “Enlightenment” and Scientific “Revolution.”
Read: Tignor, 179-195. Voltaire, Candide.
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Week 13
November 21 (November 22-25 THANKSGIVING BREAK)
Topics: Revolution in N. America. Discussion of Candide.
Read: Tignor, 197-203. Voltaire, Candide.
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Week 14
November 28 December 1-3
Topics: Revolution in France. Napoleon.
Read: Tignor, 203-208.
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Week 15
December 5-7-9
Topics: American Revolutions; Abolition of slavery. Review
Read: Tignor, 208-216. Review.
Paper Assignment on primary documents due Wednesday December 7.
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Final Exams: Section One (10:30 class): Friday, December 16 at 8:30 a.m.
Section Two (12:30 class): Thursday, December 15 at noon
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