HIS 4520-001 The World in the 20th Century I TR 4:00-05:15 pm, Tol 317

CRN: 24860 WE Dr. Johnson

This undergraduate elective course is designed to examine aspects of the history of the world from the turn of the century to the eve of the Second World War. We will selectively examine the high tide of European nationalism and global imperialism and the impact of the First World War on both; the beginnings of global revolution and resistance in Russia, Mexico, China, and India; the failure to achieve a lasting peace and international organization in 1918-19; Japanese modernization and imperialism in Asia; the counter-revolutions in Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Franco’s Spain; the global economic crisis of the 1930s and its political-economic impact; and social and cultural changes including increased rights for women, the emergence of mass culture and mass consumption, and modernism in science and art. Our approach will be topical and thematic; through reports on specific topics, students will have the opportunity to explore areas of special interest in greater depth.

The course will meet for two lecture‑discussion sessions per week; graded oral participation will include two short oral reports on topics related to the take-home papers. Written work will include an in-class midterm and final essay examination as well as two take-home papers examining case-studies of critical developments that shaped world history during this period.

Readings will include the following works (revised list):

Modris Eksteins, Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age

Sheila Fitzpatrick, The Russian Revolution, 2d ed.

Mahatma Gandhi, Selected Political Writings, ed. Dennis Dalton

José Ortega y Gasset, The Revolt of the Masses

Oliver Zimmer Nationalism in Europe, 1890-1940

Harold James, The End of Globalization: Lessons from the Great Depression

Barbara H. Sato, The New Japanese Woman: Modernity, Media, and Women in Interwar Japan

Course materials will also include some additional reserve readings available on WebCT electronic reserve or on-line.