History 1050:  Themes in Modern World History - Spring 2004

Profs. Johnson and Rosier                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Lectures:  Monday & Wednesday - 9:30-10:20 am, Tolentine 215

Discussion sections (01-04):  Fridays, as assigned, SAC 401 (History Dept.)

Contact information:

www.homepage.villanova.edu/jeffrey.johnson   ext. 97404, SAC 440 (MW 11-12, W 2-3 & by appt.)
www.homepage.villanova.edu/paul.rosier          ext. 94677, SAC 441 (M 2:00-4:30 & by appt.)

Teaching interns (additional contact information TBA): 

Prof. Johnson's sections (03-04):  James Perrin (james.perrin@villanova.edu)

Prof. Rosier's sections (01-02):    Catherine Holden (catherine.holden@villanova.edu)

Course Description and Objectives

This course examines the development of modern world history since 1500 and focuses on the political, social, economic interactions of peoples across the globe through the general theme of coercive labor.  We will analyze the emergence and development of specific themes and concepts that have influenced world history including capitalism and global markets; political, economic and cultural revolution; nationalism, imperialism, and war; class, gender, and race relations; and science and technology.  We will evaluate the choices that people confronted, their responses, and the past, present and future consequences of those responses.

Required Texts

Tignor, et.al., Worlds Together and Worlds Apart

Voltaire, Candide

Levi, Survival in Auschwitz

Additional required and supplemental readings are available on electronic reserves in WebCT (accessed through “My Classroom” on the Villanova Homepage) and on-line.

Course Requirements

There will be two in-class midterms, an in-class final examination, and four cultural events.  You will also be graded on your attendance and participation.

Grade Distribution

In-class essay examinations (2)                             20% x 2 =  40%
Final examination                                                                    30%
Attendance & participation in discussion sections                  20%
Cultural events reports (4)                                                      10%

 

Academic integrity

Violations of academic integrity will result in an F for the assignment (for a first offense), F for the course (for a second offense), as well as university-imposed penalties. If you are not certain how to carry out an assignment properly, please consult with the instructor before the due date. To review Villanova’s guidelines please see: http://www.academics.villanova.edu/AcademicIntegrity.html 

Discussion Sections

Each student has also registered for a discussion section, which will meet on Fridays (see your individual schedules).  Attendance and participation in these sections are mandatory and will be graded.  During these meetings, we will discuss the week's reading and lectures.  At times you will also be expected to submit short written assignments on films or readings, which will be graded as part of your discussion section participation.

Lecture and Readings Schedule

Read each assignment in full before the date listed. Readings designated (r) are on electronic reserve on WebCT (accessed through “My Classroom” on the Villanova Homepage).  Readings designated (w) are on the web (use links on the on-line syllabus or on the instructors’ websites). Readings designated (d) are available on Dr. Rosier’s Website.

Date

Topics

Readings

Jan. 12

Introduction to the course/Lecture rules

 

14

Work in the Medieval West and East

Tignor , 2-9, 19-48, 59-83, 110-117

21

Islam and Africa

Tignor, 9-19, 48-58, 83-86; Pierce, “Beyond Harem Walls” (r)

26

Forging a Global Economy: Contact and Conquest in the New World

Tignor, 86-110; Sepulveda:  The Just Causes of War Against the Indians (r); Las Casas: In Defense of the Indians (r); Montaigne, On Cannibals (r)

27 &28

Film: "The Mission" (to be shown in Bartley 1011 on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:30 pm)

You are required to attend one of these showings, and to write a 1-2 page paper, due at your next discussion section (details in discussion section)

28

The Commodification of People

Tignor, 118-36; Mintz, “Sweetness & Power”(r); Narrative of the Enslavement of Ottobah Cugoano, 1787

2

World Crisis and European Mechanization

Tignor, 141-186; Descartes, “Discourse on Method” (w); Hobbes, Leviathan (w)

4

The Enlightenment and Labor: Revolutions in Thought and Society

Tignor, 186-203; Voltaire, Candide (entire) -- 1-2 review due Friday; Morgan, “Paradox of Freedom” (r); Smith, “Wealth of Nations” (r)  “Declaration of Independence" (w)

9

Perceptions of Islam as Barbaric Slavery

Tignor, 136-60; 165-73; Ahmed, Islam: Roots of Misperception” (r)

11

Revolutions of Workers and Slaves

Tignor, 203-213; “Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen” (w); Rousseau, Social Contract [excerpts] (w); Knight, “The Haitian Revolution” (w)

Feb. 16

1st In-class Essay Exam   MONDAY

 

18

Work and Wealth in the Industrial Revolution 

Tignor, 216-223; Smiles, All May Not Rise Equally" (r); Engels, "Conditions of the Working Class" (r); "Mines Commission Report on Child Labor" (r); "Sadler Committee Report on Child Labor" (r); Watson, “For a while, the Luddiites had a Smashing Success” (r); Ure, “Philosophy of Manufactures” (w)

23

Serfdom and Emancipation in the Russian Empire

Tignor, 150-152, 223-224, 300-304; supplementary reading TBA

25

Labor, Women, and Slavery

Mill, “The Subjection of Women, Chapter 1” (w) The Seneca Falls Declaration (w) Sarah Grimké, 1838, “Letter XII: Legal Disabilities of Women”, Slave narratives of Harriet Ann Jacobs and Mary Prince (d)

March 1-7

Midterm Recess

 

Mar. 8

Opium Wars:  British Imperialism in Asia and Coerced Addiction in China

Tignor, 224-35, 246-50, 308-17; Wilson, “Coffee Tea, or Opium” (r) Commissioner Lin: Letter to Queen Victoria, 1839

10

European Imperialism in Africa

Tignor, 286-97; Hochschild, “The Wood that Weeps” (r)

15

Revolution and Evolution: Marx and Darwin

Tignor, 284-85; 251-57; Marx, Communist Manifesto, Pt. 1& 2 (w); Spencer, The Man versus the State (w)

17

Capital, Labor and Land:  Industrialization and Allotment

Tignor, 317-29; Hamlin Garland on Homestead Steel Works (w); Taylor, The Principles of Scientific Management (r); O'Sullivan. From the difficulties of organizing women (r) Spargo, “the bitter cry of the children” (r) Gompers, “Letter to Judge Peter Grosscup, Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarem (d); Triangle Factory Fire Website (w)

22

Nationalism and Regimentation

Tignor, 270-83, 329-74; Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, ch. 9 (r)

24

Forced Labor and Genocide in World War II

Tignor, 384-92, Levi, Survival in Auschwitz (entire); 1-2 review due Friday

Mar. 29

2nd In-class Essay Exam   MONDAY

 

31

Coercion and Resistance: Gandhi and Mao

Tignor, 336-341, 374-383. 397-422; Min, Red Azalea (r); Gandhi, Hind Swaraj, chs. VI & XVII (w-link to chapters on site)

April 5

The Cold War in Latin America and the Middle East:  The Political Economy of Bananas and Oil

Tignor, 392-96, 410-412; LaFeber, “Guatemala:  Replacing Revolution with Militarism (r)

7

Vietnam and the Labor of Fighting

Primary Documents (d)

April 8-12

Easter Recess

 

14

 “Global Assembly Line” (film) [in class]

You are required to write a 1-2 page paper on this film, due in discussion sections (details TBA)

19

Guest Workers in the Gulf

Readings TBA

21

Labor in a Global Context:  Migration and Coercion

Triangle Factory Fire Website (w); “Downward Mobility: Mexican Workers after NAFTA”(r) Bowe, Nobodies: Does Slavery Exist in America? (r); Korten, Dreaming of Global Empires; “U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report” (d) 

26

Capitalism and the Working Poor

Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed in America (r)

28

The End of History: Democracy and Coercion in the 21st Century

Tignor, 427-33, 453-61

TBA               Review Session for final

May 3 (Monday) 10:45-1:15:   Final Examination - In-class Essays 

Cultural Event Reports

Each student must attend and provide written reports on at least four cultural events (format as specified in your discussion sections).  Cultural events include academic and cultural lectures, workshops, and exhibits; plays, concerts, museums, and ethnic festivals; cultural film series (lecture nights only); and book and poetry readings.  Students especially are encouraged to attend events off campus.  The first two events are due by the last discussion day before the semester recess (Feb. 27); the last two are due by the last discussion day of the semester (April 27).  Reports will not be accepted past these dates.

Attendance

According to university policy, attendance for first year students is compulsory and will be enforced.  Students will be responsible for all the material covered in each lecture.

Late work and make-ups

The instructors will NOT permit make-ups for late assignments and missed tests UNLESS:  1) you contact us (preferably by leaving a message by voice mail) BEFORE the class in which the assignment or test is due, so that we know why you are absent and can make special arrangements as needed; and 2) you give us an appropriate WRITTEN excuse (indicating a critical condition such as death in the family or serious illness--a minor cold is not an adequate excuse), when you return.  If you do not meet these conditions, you will receive zero credit for the assignment or test.  A travel reservation that conflicts with the final examination schedule is NOT an acceptable excuse.  If you have an acceptable excuse, you have one week to complete the make-up after you return to earn full credit for the assignment; after that you will be penalized one letter grade for each week the assignment is overdue.

Learning disabilities

It is Villanova University’s policy to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  This may include special arrangements for note taking, taking examinations, etc.  If you will need such arrangements, please make an appointment with one of the instructors as soon as possible to discuss this, or consult the Office of Learning Support Services in Geraghty Hall (610-519-5636).

Other important campus services

Villanova Writing Center:   610-519-4604   Old Falvey  http://www.writingcenter.villanova.edu/ 

Villanova Counseling Center:   610-519-4050   Corr Hall

 

Conduct during lectures

During the lectures, students must refrain from any activity that may disturb your classmates or the lecturer.  Please shut off all mobile phones or pagers.  Do not engage in any private conversations, avoid excessive eating and chewing, and raise your hand to be recognized.  Your primary concern should be note taking.  Students with difficulty in taking notes should immediately contact their instructor.