HIST 112-04
Origins of the Modern World, 1500 to present
Spring 2009
Charles H. Parker, Dept. of History
Office: 213 Humanities Building
Contact Information: 977-2913; parkerch@slu.edu
Office Hours: Mondays, 3:30-4:30, Fridays, 2:00-4:00, and by appointment
Required Texts:
Any legitimate, college-level world history textook. Bentley and Ziegler,
Traditions and Encounters, Brief ed., vol. 2 is available in the SLU
bookstore
Andrea and Overfield, The Human Record, Since 1500
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko (Penguin)
Adam Hochschild, King Leopold’s Ghost
Course Description
“Origins of the Modern World, 1500 to the present” is an examination of the processes
that have shaped the major forms of institutions, habits of mind, and modes of exchange
throughout the world from 1500 to the present. This course takes as a special focus the
cultural interaction of different societies in the development of globalization. We will
analyze the spread, exchange, absorption, and transformation of cultural values as different
groups interacted with one another through trade, conversion, migration, war, and empire
building.
HIST 112-04 is taught in a seminar format, which places a premium on active student
engagement in class. Only in rare cases will the instructor lecture, rather students (with help
from the instructor) will collaborate in teaching one another through class discussion, oral
reports, and ongoing dialogue. We will analyze primary documents, consider conflicting
historical interpretations, view visual media, and find other ways to engage in informed
inquiry about the past. At some point in the course, we will go on a field trip to the
Holocaust Museum in St. Louis.
The study of history is more than books, lectures, and classes, as exciting as these things are.
An engagement with history involves active participation in the world. And in keeping with
Saint Louis University’s Jesuit mission, we will participate as a class in a service project in
February and March. We will be cooking and serving a hot lunch in Trinity Episcopal
Church’s hot lunch program. The primary goal of this course is to help you develop as
sophisticated readers and creative interpreters of history rather than to make sure you have
exposure to all the facts. All of our exercises and activities will reflect this purpose.
Course Policies
Class Attendance: There is a marked correspondence between doing well in history
courses and attending class faithfully. A student who frequently misses class will have a
hard time understanding the material. Attendance is especially important in seminar where
participation drives the course. If a student misses more than three classes without a
documented medical, family, or personal emergency, she or he will lose one letter grade per
absence after the third unexcused miss. The instructor reserves the right to determine
whether an absence is excused. There will be no make-ups for student presentations, in-class
exercises, or quizzes for any reason. If you have a serious illness or personal emergency that
compels you to miss a significant number of classes, you should notify me as soon as
possible. You might consider taking the course at another more opportune time.
Make sure that in discussion sections and lectures that all cell phones are turned off.
Students may not use cell phones, laptops (only to take notes), blackberries, or ipods during
class.
Class Participation: It is critical that students participate in discussion periods. We all learn
from one another, so speak up, speak out, and speak often. The class participation grade is
based on a student’s vocal and informed participation (50%) and oral assignments (50%).
Academic Honesty: The instructor strictly enforces the college’s policy on academic
honesty. It states, "Students are expected to be honest in their academic work. The
University reserves the right to penalize any student whose academic conduct is, in its
judgment, detrimental to the University. Such conduct shall include cases of plagiarism,
collusion, cheating, giving or receiving or offering or soliciting information on
examinations, or the use of previously prepared material in examinations or quizzes.
Violations should be reported to your course instructor, who will investigate and
adjudicate them according the Policy on Academic Honesty of the College of Arts and
Sciences. If the charges are found to be true, the student may be liable for academic or
disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University."Promoting
Academic Honesty (College of Arts and Sciences Handbook, Saint Louis University)
ADA Statement: “Saint Louis University opens its programs and educational services to
all qualified candidates without regard to their disability. All programs and services
provided for students are done in a manner that does not discriminate based on disability.
Inaccessible programs will be made accessible either directly or through relocation.
Individuals requiring accommodations for student programs should contact the Director
of Student Life.” (College of Arts and Sciences Handbook, Saint Louis University).
Late Assignments : Students are not allowed to hand in assignments late unless the student
has made previous arrangements with the teaching assistant. Extensions will only be given
in documented cases of personal or medical necessity and the instructor or teaching assistant
reserve the right to determine what constitutes such cases. Otherwise, late assignments will
not be accepted and the student will receive the grade of 0. Teaching assistants and the
instructor will accept papers only if we give prior approval and only in mitigating
circumstances.
Course Grades
This course focuses on historical analysis and interpretation of the past. Therefore, there are
two take-home essay exams in this course (a mid-term and a final) and two four-to-fivepage writing assignments. The breakdown of all components of the course follows below.
Out of 1000 points, an A=1000-940, A-=939-900, B+=899 -870, B=869-840, B-= 839-800,
C+=799-770, C=769-740, C-= 739-700, D=699-600, F=599-0.
Class Attendance and Participation
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Paper #1
Service Learning Reflection Paper
Paper #2
150 points
250 points
250 points
125 points
100 points
125 points
Total Possible
1000 points
Important Dates in the Course
First Day of Class: January 12
Paper #1 Due: February 16
Mid-Term Exam Due: March 4
Paper #2 Due: April 8
Last Day of Class: May 5
Final Exam Due: Wednesday, May 6 @ 2:00
Tentative Class Schedule
The Origins of Global Systems in the Early Modern Era, 1500-1800
Week 1, January 12 & 14: Course Introduction. Library Instruction, Jamie Schmid, History
Librarian, Pius Memorial Library.
Week 2, January 21: Global Expansion in the Early Modern World.
Week 3, January 26 & 28: The Transformation of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic World.
Week 4, February 2 & 4: The Transformation of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic World.
Discuss in class, Aphra Behn,’s Oroonoko
Week 5, February 9 & 11: Empires in Asia: Ming/Qing China, Romanov Russia.
Week 6, February 16 & 18: Empires in Afro-Eurasia, Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals.
*First Writing Assignment Due*
The Age of Revolution, Empire, and Industry, 1750-1914
Week 7, February 23 & 25: Revolution and Nationalism in Europe and America.
Week 8, March 2 & 4: Industrialization and the World.
*Mid-Term Exam Due*
Week 9, March 16 & 18: Asia and America at the Crossroads.
Week 10, March 23 & 25: The Building of Global Empires. Reading Assignment:
Adam Hochschild, King Leopold’s Ghost
Modern Global Realignments, 1914 to the Present
Week 11, March 30 and April 1: The Great War.
Week 12, April 6 & 8: An Age of Anxiety.*Second Writing Assignment Due*
Week 13, April 15: War and Holocaust.
Week 14, April 20 & 22: War and Holocaust; A Bipolar World.
Week 15: April 27 & 29: Retreat from Empire.
Week 16: May 4: A World Without Borders.
Final Exam Due: Wednesday, May 6 @ 2:00