Professor Elizabeth Sherman
markwaea@slu.edu; MWF 9:30-10; 11-11:30
HIST112 03
Origins of the Modern World: 1500 to the Present
Texts
Bentley, Traditions and Encounters: Brief Global History, Vol. II
Sherman, Meridians: Sources in World History, 1st ed.
Description of Course
This course will take a historical approach to examining the development of the modern world
from 1500 to the present. The course will cover address global events beginning with the
discovery of the New World by Europeans with an emphasis on the interactions between peoples
of the world and their relation to each other.
How to Succeed
While attendance will not be mandatory, the best plan for success is to attend lecture and take
thorough notes. Lecture outlines and PowerPoint slides will not be made available, and the
material covered in class will be invaluable for quizzes, exams, and writing assignments. If you
should miss a class, it is your responsibility to collect notes from a classmate. A daily sheet of
important terms will be given out at the beginning of class. It should help guide note-taking and
studying. This sheet will only be available in lecture on the day it is given out. It is easy to get
behind in reading in a history course—try to read each assignment before the day we cover the
topic, as you will be more familiar with the issues when they are covered in lecture.
Academic Honesty
Please familiarize yourself with the university’s policy on academic honesty. This course will
follow the guidelines set by the school in regards to such issues as cheating and plagiarism. If a
student is found guilty of an academic honesty violation, sanctions can include failure for the
assignment or the course depending on the violation.
Grade Breakdown
Map quizzes (5): 10%
ID quizzes (4): 20%
Writing assignments (2): 20%
Presentations: 10%
Midterm exam: 20%
Final exam: 20%
Grade Scale
100-94 A
93-90 A89-87 B+
86-84 B
83-80 B-
79-77
76-74
73-70
69-60
59-0
C+
C
CD
F
Attendance Policy
Attendance is not mandatory, however it is highly recommended for success in the class,
especially since material will be covered that is not included in your text. Missed quizzes and
exams cannot be made up without a doctor’s note, which must be provided within the week of
your return to classes; make-ups must occur within a week of the excuse. Should I need to
contact you for any other reason, I will do so using your SLU e-mail; please make sure your
mailbox isn’t full and check your mailbox regularly.
Writing Assignments
You will write two short papers (3 pages each). Three writing assignments appear on the
schedule and you may choose which two to write on. These papers will respond to primary
sources. Papers must be turned in during class on the due date. They may not be e-mailed. Late
papers are not accepted. In case of illness, arrangements can be made pending a doctor’s note;
the policy for doctor’s notes follows the above guidelines. Further instructions will follow.
Presentations
There will be several group presentations throughout the course of the semester. Everyone must
take part in leading one of these presentations: signup sheets will be available at the beginning of
the semester. Attendance on the day of a presentation is mandatory for all students, since these
presentations are interactive. Points will be assigned for both leading a presentation successfully
and for attending all of the sessions.
Identification Quizzes
These quizzes will require mastery of basic information about key terms such as who/what,
where, when, and an understanding of the importance of the term. The terms will be drawn from
the daily sheets handed out in class. Answers should be given in short answer format.
Exams
The midterm and final are equally weighted and the final won’t be cumulative. These exams
will test the mastery of terms and your understanding of the connections between different
cultures. Format could include multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true/false. In case of a time
conflict for the final, contact me by November 20th about approval for a make-up.
Week One:
Aug 24—Introduction; Ch 20: Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections
Aug 26—Ch 20: Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections
Aug 28—Ch 21: The Transformation of Europe (Religion)
Week Two:
Aug 31—Ch 21: The Transformation of Europe (Witch hunts, Knowledge)
Sept 2—Map Quiz #1; Ch 21: The Transformation of Europe (Politics)
Sept 4—Ch 21: The Transformation of Europe (Economy, Class)
Week Three:
Sept 7—LABOR DAY; No Class
Sept 9—Ch 22: New Worlds
Sept 11—Group Presentation #1
Week Four:
Sept 14—ID Quiz #1; Ch 22: New Worlds
Sept 16—Ch 23: Africa and the Atlantic World
Sept 18—Map Quiz #2; Ch 23: Africa and the Atlantic World
Week Five:
Sept 21—Ch 23: Africa and the Atlantic World
Sept 23—Writing Assignment Due
Sept 25—Ch 24: Tradition and Change in East Asia
Week Six:
Sept 28—Ch 24: Tradition and Change in East Asia
Sept 30—Map Quiz #3; Ch 25: The Islamic Empires
Oct 2—Group Presentation #2
Week Seven:
Oct 5—Ch 25: The Islamic Empires
Oct 7—ID Quiz #2; Ch 26: Revolutions and National States in the Atlantic World
Oct 9—Ch 26: Revolutions and National States in the Atlantic World
Week Eight:
Oct 12—Ch 26: Revolutions and National States in the Atlantic World
Oct 14—MIDTERM EXAM
Oct 16—No Class
Week Nine:
Oct 19—FALL BREAK; No Class
Oct 21—Ch 27: The Making of Industrial Society
Oct 23—Map Quiz #4; Ch 27: The Making of Industrial Society
Week Ten:
Oct 26—Ch 27: The Making of Industrial Society
Oct 28—Writing Assignment Due
Oct 30—Group Presentation #3
Week Eleven:
Nov 2—Ch 28: The Americas in the Age of Independence
Nov 4—ID Quiz #3; Ch 29: The Building of Global Empires
Nov 6—Ch 30: The Great War
Week Twelve:
Nov 9—Ch 30: The Great War
Nov 11—Ch 31: The Age of Anxiety
Nov 13—Map Quiz #5; Ch 31: The Age of Anxiety
Week Thirteen:
Nov 16—Ch 32: Nationalism and Political Identities
Nov 18—Ch 33: New Conflagrations
Nov 20—Ch 33: New Conflagrations
Week Fourteen:
Nov 23—Writing Assignment Due
Nov 25—THANKSGIVING: No Class
Nov 27—THANKSGIVING: No Class
Week Fifteen:
Nov 30—Ch 33: New Conflagrations
Dec 2—ID Quiz #4; Ch 34: The Bipolar World
Dec 4—Group Presentation #4
Week Sixteen:
Dec 7—LAST DAY OF CLASS; Ch 35: The End of Empire
Dec 14—HIST 112 03 FINAL EXAM: Monday 12:00-1:50