COURSE SYLLABUS©2015
We believe in respect for the individual, in personal integrity and in education as a means of improving the human condition.
INSTRUCTOR DETAILS
INSTRUCTOR:
e-mail:
Dr. Thomas R. Grischany
thomas.grischany@webster.ac.at
COURSE DETAILS
TERM:
COURSE:
PREREQUISITES:
CLASS LIMIT:
LAB FEE:
TEXTBOOK:
REQUIRED
READING
MATERIALS:
Fall 2015
INTL 1500/50: The World System Since 1500
None
25
None
Jerry H. Bentley, Herbert F. Ziegler, Heather Streets-Salter,
Traditions and Encounters: A Brief Global History (McGraw Hill
Higher Education, 2013).
Amy Chua, Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global
Dominance-and Why They Fall (Anchor Books / Random House,
2007).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examines the origin and evolution of the current world system. The course
explores the political, cultural, technological, social, and economic forces that
have shaped world history from 1500 until the present.
This course has been designated “writing-intensive”, as part of the Writing
Across the Curriculum program at Webster University. This means that there
will be more writing assignments than in other courses, and the instructor will
give you close feedback on your written work, including the quality of your
arguments, supporting evidence and how it is used, structure (both of
individual paragraphs and the overall essay), use of language and flow. The
writing assignments (altogether min. 3,600 words) take up a larger than usual
proportion of the final grade, to recognize quality of writing on your part. The
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final paper will be sequenced, and you are expected to improve your final
version based on the feedback you received on the first draft. Enhancing your
writing skills will lead to greater academic and ultimately professional success.
COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Give a broad description of the historical origins of the major political and
economic features of the current international system;
2. Explain the historical origins of globalization, often defined as the increasing
inter-connectedness of the world, and the ways in which globalization has fostered
both cross-cultural cooperation and conflict;
3. Describe world systems theory and the ways in which cross-cultural trade have
shaped world history;
4. Show appreciation of both the diversity and commonality to be found in different
cultures and ideologies of the world;
5. Put major international issues in historical context;
6. Analyze, interpret, and discuss primary and secondary sources;
7. Craft argumentative history essays which effectively analyze evidence to support
a thesis, and communicate their ideas in a well-organized, well expressed manner.
Other important learning outcomes should be:
Global Understanding: Students demonstrate an understanding of cultures foreign
to them, foreign languages, or forces that draw people of the world together and
forces that push them apart.
Critical Thinking: Students demonstrate that they have developed the habit of mind
characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artefacts, and
events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
GRADING SCALE:
PARTICIPATION*:
PRESENTATION:
QUIZZES:
READING RESPONSE:
MIDTERM EXAM:
FINAL EXAM:
A: 93-100, A-: 90-92, B+: 87-89, B: 83-86, B-: 80-82, C+: 77-79, C: 73-76, C-:
70-72, D+: 67-69, D: 60-67, F: <60
10%
5%
15%
15%
15%
20%
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FINAL PAPER:
20%
*Disturbances: Since every student is entitled to full participation in class or exams without interruption, disruption of class
by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and
respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to
disciplinary action, including removal from the course. All and any use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited during class.
Students using a cell phone may be sent out of the classroom, which may result in an unexcused absence. If a calculator is
needed in any class, the student must bring a calculator—and not a cell phone. It is up to the individual instructor to rule on
the use of laptops or I-pads. Instructors have the right to prohibit students’ use of such electronic devices.
COURSE POLICIES
● Talk to the instructor if there is any problem! If you don’t tell me, I don’t know
and can’t help you. I will be available for questions immediately before and after
every class or by individual appointment.
● Communication between students and the instructor will be conducted
exclusively through the Webster Email address network.
● Always come to class prepared by completing the assigned readings for each class.
● Prior to every class the instructor may post reading guidelines to the course
website on Canvas which will help you manage the readings and better prepare you
for class participation.
● The instructor may also assign additional readings for each class that will also be
posted to the course website.
● Therefore, it is vital that you regularly check the course’s website for assignments
and other announcements and updates.
● The most recently updated and binding version of the syllabus is always the one
that is posted on the course website.
● It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed assignments and record all
missed discussion notes from a fellow student.
● The continual disregard of punctuality (at the beginning of class, when returning
from breaks, when turning in materials) will have a negative effect on your grade.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This syllabus is subject to possible changes at the discretion of the instructor
without the prior notification or consent of the student. The schedule serves as
an overview for the approximate date a topic will be discussed in class, and
what the corresponding readings will be. The instructor reserves the right to
add, delete, or modify any weeks of this schedule. Any changes will be
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announced during class and contained in the syllabus posted on the course’s
website.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week 1
Aug. 24-28
Week 2
Aug. 31-Sept. 04
Week 3
Sept. 07-11
Week 4
Sept. 14-18
Week 5
Sept. 21-25
Week 6
Sept. 28-Oct. 02
Week 7
Oct. 05-09
Week 8
Oct. 12-16
Break Week
Week 9
Oct. 26-30
Week 10
Nov. 02-06
Week 11
Nov. 09-13
Week 12
Nov. 16-20
Week 13
Nov. 23-27
Week 14
Nov. 30-Dec. 04
Week 15
Dec. 07-11
Introduction & World around 1500
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 346-369
Europe around 1500
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 336-338, 370-389
Conquest of the Americas & Slavery
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 390-427
Asia
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 428-461; Chua, 168-191
From Habsburg to British Hegemony
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 374-382; Chua, 129-167,
192-213
Reading Response Essay due (turn-it-in & hardcopy)
Age of Revolutions
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 466-489
Industrial Revolution & Age of “-isms”
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 466-509
Europe – The Ages of Metternich & Bismarck
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 466-489
Midterm Essay due (turn-it-in & hardcopy)
No classes are held during this week
19th Century Americas
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 466-489, 510-527; Chua,
233-266
World around 1900
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 528-551; Chua, 213-228
World War I: Europe’s “Ur-Catastrophe”
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 556-575, 592-607
Interwar Period & Totalitarianism
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 576-591
World War II, Cold War & Decolonization
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 608-651; Chua, 275-285
First Draft of Final Paper due (turn-it-in & hardcopy)
World of Today
Bentley/Ziegler/Streets-Salter, 652-669; Chua, 287-317
Final Discussion & Final Exam
Final Version of Final Paper due (turn-it-in &
hardcopy)
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NOTE: CONTACT HOURS
Undergraduate courses are offered either in term format, which meets for two 2-hour sessions per week for 8
consecutive weeks (32 contact hours), or a 15-week semester format, which meets for two 1.5 – hour sessions for 8
consecutive weeks followed by a break week (no classes are held) and then for another 7 consecutive weeks. The
total number of contact hours for undergraduate semester courses is thus 45.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Students are required to inform themselves of WUV academic policies. A full list of these policies is available on the WUV website:
http://webster.ac.at/academic-policies
Academic Honesty & Cheating:
The University is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards.
A special Honor Code that the Vienna Student Council has developed applies to students and faculty. Any student found cheating on
any part of the course work (homework assignment, term paper, quiz, exam, etc.) will automatically be given an “F” for the course.
Any student found to be helping another student to cheat will likewise be given an “F” for the course. In each case, the student will
also be put on disciplinary probation for the remainder of her or his stay at Webster. If the student is found to have engaged in
cheating a second time, s/he will be automatically expelled from the University. Faculty members are held responsible for upholding
and enforcing the Honor Code.
Academic Work:
Students are required to save digital or hard-copy files of any and all materials they use for any assignment in any WUV course. Upon
the instructor's request they have to provide complete text documentation for any sources they have used.
Contact Hours:
Graduate courses are only offered in an 8- week term format and meet 1-time per week for 4 hours. Graduate Mid-term and final
exams sessions are scheduled in 2-hour block sessions in addition to weekly class meeting times (36 total contact hours). Please see
the Graduate Course Schedule/Timetable on the website for specific exam dates/times: http://webster.ac.at/graduate-courseofferings-and-schedules
Undergraduate courses are offered either in term format, which meets for two 2-hour sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks (32
contact hours), or a 15-week semester format, which meets for two 1.5 – hour sessions for 8 consecutive weeks followed by a break
week (no classes are held) and then for another 7 consecutive weeks. The total number of contact hours for undergraduate semester
courses is thus 45.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all class sessions of this course. In the case of unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor
and provide written documentation. The student is subject to appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable makeup work,
or for excessive or unexcused absences.
Excused absences—based on submitted documentation—must not exceed:
 Four class sessions when the course meets twice a week;
 Two class sessions when the course meets only once a week;
 Should the number of excused absences be higher, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course.
In the case of unexcused absences, amounting to:
 Four class sessions when the course meets twice a week;
 Two class sessions when the course meets only once a week;
 The instructor must lower the student's grade by one letter grade and inform the student of the action.
 Should the number of unexcused absences be higher, the instructor must assign the grade of F and inform the student of the action.
Note: In the case of a mixture of excused and unexcused absences, the instructor’s response must be based on the dominant category.
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Student Conduct:
Since every student is entitled to full participation in class or exams without interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior
is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where
a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the
course. All and any use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited during class. Students using a cell phone may be sent out of the classroom,
which may result in an unexcused absence. If a calculator is needed in any class, the student must bring a calculator—and not a cell
phone. It is up to the individual instructor to rule on the use of laptops or I-pads. Instructors have the right to prohibit students’ use of
such electronic devices.
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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