Eloy Zárate
Office: C405
Phone: (626)585-3108
Email: eizarate@pasadena.edu
Fall,2011 Class Section #2874
Monday-Wednesday 12-1:35pm
History 2B
History of World Civilizations from 1500 to Present
History 2B surveys world history from c. 1500 to Present, a period that saw the transition
from pre-modern agrarian societies to commercialized and industrialized ways of life over much
of the world. One theme throughout this course will be the social, cultural, and political
characteristics of the peoples of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe as they changed under
the impact of industrialization and colonialism during those years. A second theme will consider
how various civilizations interacted: world history in this period is dominated by the aggressive
expansion undertaken by the nations of Western Europe. The beginnings of European
colonialism and the transition to imperialism will be discussed throughout the course, as will the
many ways by which cultures in Asia, Africa, and the Americas chose to respond to European
incursions.
This period also witnesses the collapse of a European-dominated world, violent
nationalist de-colonization revolutions and social movements to the present attempts to create a
technologically integrated “global village”. One theme throughout this course will be the social,
cultural, and political characteristics of the peoples of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe as
they deal with the collapse of the European Imperial order after WWI. Another theme is the
attempts of “under-developed” regions to create a modern nationalist state in the shadow of
Superpower Cold War. A third theme will consider how various economic, political, social and
technical revolutions further complicate and integrate international relations.
Course Themes
1. The social, cultural, and political characteristics of the
peoples of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe as they changed
under the influence of industrialization and colonialism during
those years.
2. The social, cultural and political characteristics of the peoples
of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe as they deal with the
collapse of the European Imperial order after World War I.
3. How various economic, political, social and technological
revolutions complicate and integrate international relations as
“under-developed” regions seek to create a modern nationalist
state in the shadow of the Cold War.
Objective of the Course
Through class lectures, discussion of readings, position papers and
films the student will gain an accurate and greater understanding of
the study of world history. This objective will be accomplished by:
1. Developing a degree of independence and thought in the study of
World History.
2. Developing and/or improving skills in written expression.
3. Developing a better understanding of the relationship between
people and the historical process.
Required Texts:
Bentley, Jerry Traditions & Encounters VOL. 2
Leon-Portilla, Miguel The Broken Spears
Schivelbusch Taste of Paradise
Webster, Donavan Aftermath
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Course Requirements: Click on links below to get guidelines for
assignments.
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Students are required to take one mid-term and one final examination, and
will write (1) one brief (4-5 page) paper based on one of the required
texts.(Broken Spears or Taste of Paradise) The paper must be typed
and double-spaced with one-inch margins in Courier 12 font. Papers that
do not fulfill these standards will not be accepted. Essays must fulfill
all standards for historical interpretations. A student will not receive a
grade in the class without completing the required essay and taking the
final. To clarify, there are 3 essay opportunities during the semester,
students can only turn in one essay. No rewrites.
50% of the discussion grade is a one page discussion paper that is due
the Friday before discussions are scheduled. The other 50% of the
discussion grade is given to students who actively and meaningfully
contribute to class discussions.
WORD COUNT: A page of written material is equivalent to between 250275 words regardless if the page fulfills font and margin standards.
Theme and discussion papers have minimum counts. Essays must fall
within 4-5 pages or 1000-1350 words.
All written assignments must be posted by the deadlines at turnitin.com.
Essay deadlines are 10 minutes before the beginning of the class session
they are due. All written assignments will only be posted electronically (no
hard copy is necessary).
I DO NOT OFFER MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Grading
Grading will be based on the following work (total points):
Mid-Term
125 points
Final
150 points
Chapter Quizzes
200 points 10x20
Geography Quizzes
100 Points 10x10
Essay
100 points
Discussion Papers
225 points
Book Quizzes
100 points
Total
1000 points
-point assignment grade break-down: Final Grade break down:
A
100-90
1000-900
B
89-80
899-800
C
79-70
799-700
D
69-60
699-600
F
59 and below
599 and below
Classroom Etiquette, Cheating/Plagiarism & Attendance
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Please remember that college policy forbids eating, drinking, or smoking in classrooms. If
you engage in any disruptive behavior I will ask to speak to you about it. The classroom
must be a place where there can be a free exchange of ideas. In order to create this
environment, everyone must feel comfortable to express ideas in a manner they
believe is reflective of their understanding of the material regardless of their
educational or cultural background. Freedom of speech and the tenets of academic
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freedom are highly valued in this classroom. The best way to avoid any sort of difficulty is
to be consistently professional and treat the instructor and classmates with courtesy. If you
have concerns, do not hesitate to discuss it with the professor.
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If you are planning on cheating or plagiarizing….DON’T. When you are caught, you will
receive a zero on the assignment. If you are found to be cheating or guilty of plagiarism on a
paper or the final you will receive an “F” in the course.
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Class will begin and end as scheduled. I expect you to be on time, in your seat by the
beginning of class and to remain for the entire class period. All class meetings are required,
if you cannot attend class make sure to contact me by phone or e-mail.
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Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken each class session. 20 points will
be deducted from the students final grade total for every combination of 3
absences/tardies. Absences will be excused with the proper medical or legal
documentation. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP THE
CLASS. ALL CLASS MATERIALS MUST BE RETURNED FOR THE PROFESSOR
TO DROP A STUDENT OR GIVE A FINAL GRADE IN THE COURSE.
Cell Phone Policy All cell phones must be turned off (powered off) and
put away before entering the classroom. Any student* that does not comply
with this policy will be excused from the class meeting.
No electronic reproductions of the in-class lectures and/or images are allowed
without the written consent of Prof. Zarate.
*Students that have special circumstances that require access to a cell phone during the class
period must have approval from the instructor prior to the start of class.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will demonstrate through original written and/or oral analysis their
ability to identify important events in historical eras; evaluate variables of
historical phenomena; and analyze the causes and impact of significant change in
a global context.
Students will demonstrate awareness and critique the value of varied sources of
historical information including professorial lectures, secondary texts, primary
documents, visual arts, fiction, oral histories, community studies and/or current
journalistic reports.
Students will demonstrate responsibility as self-directed listeners, readers, and
researchers.
Students will compare and contrast the experiences and issues of subsets of
minorities with that of mainstream in power, including concerns of race, class,
and gender.
Students will demonstrate respect for the diversity of opinions on historical
debates.
Students will apply their analysis of history to create a plan for fulfilling
their own civic responsibilities as community and international citizens.
Syllabus and Reading Assignments
Week 1 – August 29-Sept 2
Topics:
World of 1500
Reconnacance
Readings: Bentley Ch. 22-23, Start Broken Spears and Folder
Assignments Due:
Wednesday, September 1
1. Syllabus Quiz (Optional)
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Week 2- September 5-9
Topics:
The People- Aztecs and Quechua
Readings: Bentley Ch. 22-23, Folder/ Broken Spears
Assignments Due:
Monday, September 5—No Class
Friday, September 9
1. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 22-23
2. Geography Quiz 22-23
3. Discussion Paper Broken Spears (250 words)
Week 3- September 12-16
Topics:
Africa-Slave Trade
Conquest
Readings: Bentley Ch. 24-25
Assignments Due:
Wednesday, September 14
1. Broken Spears Discussion
Friday, September 16
2. Broken Spears Quiz Due
3. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 24-25
4. Geography Quiz 24-25
Week 4—September 19-23
Topics:
Global Change Asia
Readings: Bentley Ch. 26
Assignments Due:
Monday, September 19
1. Essay Option #1 on Broken Spears (1000-1350 words required)
Friday, September 23
2. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 26
3. Geography Quiz 26
4. Discussion Paper for Chapter 1 of Schivelusch and Marks “Rise of West”
Week 5—September 26-30
Topics:
Ottoman Empire & Islam
Readings: Bentley Ch. 27, Schivelbusch Ch. 1, Marks “Rise of West”
Assignments Due:
Wednesday, September 28
1. Discussion on Schivelbusch and Marks
Friday, September 30
2. Bentley Chapter Quiz 27
3. Geography Quiz 27
Week 6—October 3-7
Topic:
Revolutions
Readings: Bentley Ch. 28, Schivelbusch
Assignments Due:
Friday, October 7
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 28
2. Geography Quiz 28
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Week 7 – October 10-14
Topics:
Rage of the Machine
Nationalism
Readings: Bentley Ch. 29-30, Schivelbusch (Taste of Paradise)
Assignments Due:
Monday, October 10
1. Midterm due
Friday, October 14
2. Bentley Chapter Quiz 29-30
3. Geography Quiz 29-30
4. Discussion Paper on Schivelbusch (Taste of Paradise) Due
Week 8- October 17-21
Topics:
Imperialism
Readings: Bentley Ch. 31-32
Assignments Due:
Wednesday, October 19
1. Discussion on Taste of Paradise
Friday, October 21
1. Taste of Paradise Quiz Due (Rest of Book)
2. Bentley Chapter Quiz 31-32
3. Geography Quiz 31-32
Week 9- October 24-28
Topics:
The Violent Alternative
Readings: Bentley Ch. 33
Assignments Due:
Monday, October 24
1. Essay Option #2 on Taste of Paradise. (1000-1350 words required)
Friday, October 28th
2. Bentley Chapter Quiz 33
3. Geography Quiz 33
Week 10— October 31-November 4
Topics:
Racism
Social Darwinism
Readings: Bentley Ch. 34
Assignments Due:
Friday, November 4
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 34
2. Geography Quiz 34
Week 11—November 7-11
Topics:
European Meltdown
Readings: Bentley Ch. 35
Assignments Due:
Friday, November 11
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 35
2. Geography Quiz 35
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Week 12—November 14- 18
Topic:
WWI
Failure of Liberalism
Readings: Bentley Ch. 36-37, Start Aftermath (2 chapters a week)
Assignments Due:
Friday, November 18
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 36-37
2. Geography Quiz 36-37
Week 13—November 21-25
Topic:
Cold War or WWIII
Thanksgiving
Readings: Bentley Ch. 38
Assignments Due:
Friday, November 25
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 38
2. Geography Quiz 38
Week 14--- November 28- December 2
Topics:
Liberators?
Readings: Bentley Ch. 39
Assignments Due:
Friday, December 2
1. Aftermath Discussion Paper Due (500 Words)
2. Bentley Chapter Quiz 39
3. Geography Quiz 39
Week 15- December 5-9
Topics:
Environment
War
Readings: Bentley Ch. 40
Assignments Due:
Monday, December 5
1. Discussion for Aftermath
Friday, December, 9
2. Aftermath Quiz
3. Bentley Chapter 40 Quiz
4. Geography Quiz
Week 16— Final
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