History 116 World Civilizations II
Spring 2010 9:00 Learning Community Class
Dr. John F. DeFelice
Associate Professor of History
Department of Business and International Studies
Office Hours:
T,R 9:30-10:40
Or by Appointment
211 Normal Hall
Phone 768-9438 (O)
E-mail: john.defelice@umpi.edu
I. INTRODUCTION AND GOALS
Welcome to the second half of our Honors study of world civilizations! While we still
explore some of the common patterns of world civilizations (the diffusion of ideas and
technology and the rise and fall of great powers) one important theme of this part of the
course is the rise of Western Hegemony. We will examine accounts of encounter,
resistance, and accommodation to the West. This also serves as a historical introduction
to globalism. We will explore the development of the global economy and the rise of
global culture.
Special Focus: Learning Community Class
This is a special Learning Community Class. Students taking this class will also take
ENV 110 and ENG 151. In some cases, books assigned in one class will also be used in a
different way in another. There are also single assignments to fill requirements in all
three classes. Because you are working together as a cohort and your three professors are
coordinating their courses to help you connect themes and material shared between them,
the dynamic of this community should be useful and engaging. We also hope that you
work together to develop a real community of students exploring the major themes of
these courses together.
The Academic Foundation:
1. Reading is the key foundation to this course!
2. Lectures focus on one or two aspects of each the chapters you will read.
3. Your written analyses of the thematic issue (in this case diseases and plagues
in history) and our discussions allow us to develop critical thinking skills on
controversial issues independently and as a group.
4. Examinations, presentations and writings will assess your mastery of the
material contained in our lectures, discussions, and all reading assignments!
Required Books:
1
Bentley and Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters Volume 2, (4th Edition)
Mitchell and Mitchell, Taking Side: Clashing Views in World History Vol. II 2nd Edition
(Expanded). McGraw Hill, 2008.
ISBN 0073515175
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart. You will use the book you purchased for ENG 151 or
any other edition.
II. EXAM POLICIES
EXAMINATIONS
Comprehensive examinations are you chance to show a true mastery of our textbook, sourcebook,
lectures, and discussion materials.
The Midterm Exam is a one hour exam
The Final Exam is a two-hour examination.
A study guide will be handed out one week before either exam.
FINAL EXAM DATE
Wednesday May 12 8:00-10:00 AM
If you miss the final exam for any reason, your grade will be a "0." However if you
present a valid excuse I will allow you to make up the Final Exam.
III. CLASS POLICIES
Attendance: READ!
You are required to attend every class function. Attendance is taken every class. I may
assign you an "L" grade if you miss four classes in a row or miss a total of six classes.
Your participation grade will drop if you have more than four absences. If you are
involved in any sport, you must provided written proof that you must miss a class. All
sports related absences will be verified with your coaches and I require that all missed
work be made up promptly!
Classroom Activities:
I have four simple requirements: be here on time, be prepared, participate (by taking notes and
contributing to discussions), and be courteous. Courteous means that cell phones must be turned
off and any use of lap tops must be for course related material only (and I reserve the right to
determine if your use qualifies!). It also means that newspapers, books not assigned for this class
and other reading materials are to be closed or put away during lectures and discussions. You
must bring the relevant books to our discussions.
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Student Maintenance of Graded Work:
While I try to keep accurate grade records, occasionally an error will occur or an assignment will
not be recorded. Keep all returned and graded work in a folder or trapper in case
verification is needed! Back up all work you hand in electronically.
Lecture Schedule:
While I do strive to stay on schedule, events may occur (emergencies, sickness, snow days, etc)
that will force me to omit a lecture and/or change the sequence of lectures. I will not present
every lecture on Blackboard.
IV. ASSIGNMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Response Papers:
This term each student will complete a minimum of 5 writing assignments in addition to your
writing project. You can choose which writing assignments to do, but they are to be turned
in on time! I suggest strongly that EVERYONE write a paper for the first discussion!
Instructions for All Response Papers
Response Papers: Every Wednesday you come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading
for that week. It’s up to you to find material to discuss in the reading I’ve assigned for each week.
And it is up to you to find material within each reading to respond to in writing. What should be
in a proper response paper? This is the number one question, so I have prepared a list. Read it
carefully.
An excellent response paper should summarize the central issues of the readings in
question. This is much more than repeating the title. Explain what is being presented.
An excellent response paper evaluates the arguments being made by the authors and
assesses their viability based upon the evidence presented and by your (growing)
knowledge of this subject. For Taking Sides, you need to discuss which author has made
the better argument and why.
An excellent response paper backs up conclusions and comments by providing examples
either by citing the author and page number, i.e. (DeFelice, 8), or by doing this AND
quoting from a relevant portion of the text.
An excellent response paper has your name on it, the date, the class and the subject you
are writing about. You should also indicate the assignment number (i.e. Paper One or
Two etc.).
Format: ALL response papers are to be typed, proofread, and handed in on the day of the
discussion. No late work will be accepted after the class. So it is due that Wednesday,
in class, and not after. This policy will be enforced this semester. The usual length of a
response paper is generally two to three pages long. Please use 1 ½ line spacing in you
papers. Hand in your papers in class. Do not e-mail them to me!
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Use of the Writing Lab: you may utilize the writing lab on campus to improve your
paper as long as you turn it in on time! The writing lab in South Hall and requires that
you schedule an appointment.
Plagiarism: Everything you write must be in your own words! Copying material from
encyclopedias, web pages, your textbook, the source book, a friend’s paper, etc. without citing
your source is academically dishonest. Having someone else “polish up” your paper is also
unacceptable. If you include a brief citation in your answers, you must put it in quotation marks
and indicate the source. Students caught plagiarizing may earn an “F” for the assignment, the
course, and/or be referred to the Dean for academic discipline.
Please refer to your student handbook’s sections on Academic Dishonesty.
Additional Response Papers
Additional writing assignments may be used as extra credit provided that they are handed in ON
TIME the Wednesday of that discussion. I will add points to your participation grade for every
extra paper you write.
Learning Community Research Paper
All students in the Learning Community will work on a special research projects that will involve
the skills and knowledge you gain from all three Learning Community classes. Instructions and a
grading rubric will be posted in Course Documents.
First Draft Due:
Final Draft Due
Friday April 02
Friday April 16
Discussions
Wednesdays are discussion days! To enter the class you must bring the book we are
discussing with you.
Have a hard time sharing in public? The night before our debate post your comments on
our Blackboard discussion board. I’ll count your good efforts towards your participation
grade! But do your best to share in class! You may also post for two days after each
debate or discussion. After that, the discussion is removed from Blackboard!
How do I calculate your participation grade?
Every time you make a point in class, I add points (15-30) to your participation score!
You can earn participation points when we have our discussions or you may post your
comments each week on our discussion board. If you score a minimum of 250 points,
you earn an "A" for your participation grade for the semester! But after that, keep going!
Extra papers (see above) and additional participation points may exempt you from the
final exam!
V. GRADE VALUES
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Participation (250 points = “A”)
Writings (5)
Midterm Exam
Learning Community Research Paper
Final Exam
Total
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
100%
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VI. LECTURES, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS
Abbreviation Key:
TE = Traditions and Encounters
TS= Taking Sides
WEEK ONE (Jan 20-22)
Readings: TE Chapters 40 (for Fri)
W
Class Introduction:
Your first assignment is to print out and read your syllabus.
F
Lecture A: A World Without Borders
Assignments for Week Two:
Readings: TE Chapter 23; TS Issue One “Did the Industrial Revolution Lead to a
Sexual Revolution?” Prepare for Discussion One. I strongly advise that you make
this your first writing assignment.
WEEK TWO (Jan 25-29)
M
Lecture B: Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections I
W
Discussion One: Issue One “Did the Industrial Revolution Lead to a Sexual
Revolution?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture B: Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections II
Assignments for Week Three: Readings: TE Chapter 24; TS Issue Three “Did
British Policy Decisions Cause the Mass Emigration and Land Reforms That
Followed the Irish Potato Famine?” Prepare for Discussion Two.
WEEK THREE (Feb 1-5)
M
Lecture C: The Transformation of Europe I
W
Discussion Two: Issue Three “Did British Policy Decisions Cause the Mass
Emigration and Land Reforms That Followed the Irish Potato Famine?”
Hand in your writing assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture C: The Transformation of Europe II
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Assignments for Week Four:
Readings: TE Chapter 25. TS Issue Four “Did the Meiji Restoration Constitute a
Revolution in 19th Century Japan?”
WEEK FOUR (Feb 8-12)
M
Lecture D: New Worlds: The Americas and Oceania (I)
W
Discussion Three: Issue Four “Did the Meiji Restoration Constitute a
Revolution in 19th Century Japan?” Hand in your writing assignment at the
end of class.
F
Lecture D: New Worlds: The Americas and Oceania (II)
Assignments for Week Six (after break):
Readings: TE Chapters 26, 27; TS Issue Six “Was China’s Boxer Rebellion Caused
by Environmental Factors?” Prepare for Discussion Four.
WEEK FIVE (Feb 15-19)
HOORAY! NO CLASS! WINTER BREAK!
WEEK SIX (Feb 22-26)
M
Lecture E: Africa and the Atlantic World
W
Discussion Four: Issue Six “Was China’s Boxer Rebellion Caused by
Environmental Factors?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end of
class.
F
Lecture F: Tradition and Change in East Asia I
Assignments for Week Seven: Readings: TE Chapter 28; TS Issue Seven “Were
German Military and Diplomacy Responsible for World War I?” Prepare for
Discussion Five.
WEEK SEVEN (Mar 1-5)
M
Lecture F: Tradition and Change in East Asia II
W
Discussion Five: Issue Seven “Were German Military and Diplomacy
Responsible for World War I?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end
of class.
F
Lecture G: The Islamic Empires I
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Assignments for Week Eight: Readings: TE Chapter 28, 29. TS Issue Eight “Was
the Treaty of Versailles Responsible for World War II?” Prepare for Discussion Six.
Prepare for Midterm Exam. A study guide is posted under Course Documents.
WEEK EIGHT (Mar 8-12)
M
Lecture G: The Islamic Empires II
W
Discussion Six: Issue Eight “Was the Treaty of Versailles Responsible for
World War II?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end of class.
F
Midterm Exam
Assignments for Week Nine: Readings: TE Chapter 29, 30; TS Issue Nine “Did the
Bolshevik Revolution Improve the Lives of Soviet Women?” Prepare for Discussion
Seven
WEEK NINE (Mar 15-19)
M
Lecture H: Revolutions and National States in the Atlantic
W
Discussion Seven: Issue Nine “Did the Bolshevik Revolution Improve the
Lives of Soviet Women?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture I: The Making of Industrial Society I
Assignment for Week Eleven (after break):
Readings: TE Chapters 30, 31; TS Issue Ten “Was German “Eliminationist
Antisemitism” Responsible for the Holocaust?” Prepare for Discussion Eight
Special Note: Self Assessment Time! Your total number of written assignments due
is five. To earn an “A” for participation, you need a minimum of 250 points. Check
Blackboard and see how you are doing!
WEEK TEN (Mar 22-26)
HOORAY! NO CLASS! SPRING BREAK!
WEEK ELEVEN (Mar 29- Apr 2)
M
Lecture I: The Making of Industrial Society II
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W
Discussion Eight: Issue Ten “Was German “Eliminationist Antisemitism”
Responsible for the Holocaust?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end
of class.
F
Lecture J: The Americas in an Age of Independence
Learning Community Research Project Due Today! (First Draft)
Assignment for Week Twelve:
Readings: TE Chapter 32; Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart Prepare for
Discussion Nine. See review guide in Course Documents.
WEEK TWELVE (Apr 5-9)
M
Lecture K: Societies at the Crossroads
W
Discussion Nine: Achebe, Things Fall Apart. Hand in your writing
assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture L: The Building of Global Empires
Assignments for Week Thirteen:
Readings: TE Chapters 34; TS Issue Thirteen “Are Chinese Confucianism and
Western Capitalism Compatible?” Prepare for Discussion Nine.
WEEK THIRTEEN (Apr 12-16)
M
Lecture M: The Great War: The World in Upheaval
W
UNIVERSITY DAY!!!! No Class. Visit Presentations for Participation
Credit!
F
Discussion Nine: Hand in your writing assignment(s) at the end of class.
Learning Community Research Project Due Today! (Final Draft)
Assignments for Week Fourteen:
Readings: TE Chapters 34 and 35; Prepare for Discussion Ten.
WEEK FOURTEEN (Apr 19-23)
M
Lecture N: An Age of Anxiety
W
Discussion Ten: TS Issue Thirteen “Are Chinese Confucianism and Western
Capitalism Compatible?” Hand in your writing assignment at the end of
class.
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F
Lecture O: Nationalism and Political Identities in Asia, Africa and Latin
America.
Assignments for Week Fifteen:
Readings: TE Chapters 36 and 37; TS Issue Seventeen “Do the Roots of Modern
Terrorism Lie in Political Powerlessness, Economic Hopelessness, and Social
Alienation?” Prepare for Discussion Eleven.
WEEK FIFTEEN (Apr 26-30)
M
Lecture P: A New Conflagration: World War II (I)
W
Discussion Eleven: Issue Seventeen “Do the Roots of Modern Terrorism Lie
in Political Powerlessness, Economic Hopelessness, and Social Alienation?”
Hand in your writing assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture P: A New Conflagration: World War II (II)
Assignments for Week Sixteen:
Readings: TE Chapters 38 and 39; TS Issue Twenty “Should the United States
Pursue a Policy of Liberal Imperialism in the 21st Century?” Prepare for Discussion
Twelve
Prepare for Final Exam. Final Exam Review Guide will be posted to Blackboard on
May 3.
WEEK SIXTEEN May 3-7)
M
Lecture Q: The Bipolar World I
W
Discussion Twelve: Issue Twenty “Should the United States Pursue a Policy
of Liberal Imperialism in the 21st Century?” Hand in your writing
assignment at the end of class.
F
Lecture R: The End of Empire
FINAL EXAM DATE
Wednesday May 12 8:00-10:00 AM Folsom 105
Syllabus Addenda: As Requested by the Administration
Academic Honesty Statement
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The academic community of the University of Maine at Presque Isle recognizes that adherence to
high principles of academic integrity is vital to the academic function of the University.
Academic integrity is based upon honesty. All students of the University are expected to be
honest in their academic endeavors. All academic work should be performed in a manner which
will provide an honest reflection of the knowledge and abilities of each student. Any breach of
academic honesty should be regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic
community.
Electronic Courtesy
Please turn off your cell phones and turn off all electronic devices during classes. Computers may
be used to follow lectures or for note taking only. Please do not text message, e-mail or use other
forms of electronic communication during the class.
UMPI Writing Center
Located on the first floor of South Hall, the writing center offers one-on-one consultations for
writers at all levels of course work, at all stages of the writing process. Call 768-9615 or stop by
to set up an appointment.
H1N1 Influenza Safety
With a new strain of influenza (H1N1) circulating in Maine, there are several things you can do to
stay well and help us limit the spread of this and other communicable illnesses. Students who are
experiencing symptoms of H1N1 (fever of 100 degrees or more, plus sore throat or cough) should
call student health services at (207) 768-9586 or 768-9587, or your own health care provider, for
further evaluation. If you are found to have symptoms of H1N1, you will need to follow the
guidance of the Maine CDC to stay home until you are free of fever (without fever-reducing
medication), for 24 hours or your symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
Accommodations
The University of Maine at Presque Isle provides reasonable accommodations upon request to
qualified individuals with documented disabilities. Students with documented disabilities have a
right to ask for accommodations and are encouraged to talk directly with the responsible faculty
member, supervisor or other staff person to explore possible accommodations. For assistance
with accommodations or academic support services, contact Mary Kate Barbosa, Director of
Student Support Services, South Hall, at 768-9613 or by email at mary.barbosa@umpi.edu . A
copy of the accommodations request form can be found at http://www.umpi.edu/currentstudents/sss/disability-services/registration .
Blackboard Log-in Information
All students are required to log on to the course's “Blackboard” page, found at
http://www.courses.maine.edu. Please see http://www.learn.maine.edu/crs/bb5_guide.html for
current login info – if students have not already done so, they must activate their UMaine System
email account before they can enter Blackboard. For further information, see the Quick Guide at
http://www.learn.maine.edu/crs/bb5_guide.html.
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Library Services
Students have two resources for library services, both through the UMPI library pages and the
University College resource pages. To access the UMPI library electronically, visit:
http://www.umpi.edu/library . Students may contact Virginia Fischer, the Reference Librarian,
directly by phone at 768-9602 or via email at virginia.fischer@umpi.edu. General contact
information for the UMPI library can be found at http://www.umpi.edu/library/directory. Students
will need their ID number to access databases or order and reserve texts. Remote access to
University System resources is available through www.learn.maine.edu/ocls.
Statement of Commitment
As a member of the university, I pledge to
Pursue academic excellence,
Support open inquiry and civil expression,
Listen respectfully to the viewpoints of others,
Participate responsibly in the life of the community,
Conserve and enhance the beauty of the campus, and
Help members of the university realize their potential.
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