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Contemporary World History (HIST 1020)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course explores developments and issues in contemporary world history from 1950 until the present. It provides a broad background and introduction to key people, events, and larger social, economic, technological, political, cross-cultural and global forces that have shaped our current world and created many of the problems of today. Drawing on examples from each major region of the world, you will study such topics as the beginning, impact and end of the Cold War; patterns of decolonization and national independence; diverse strategies for economic development and experiences of national building; revolution and liberation struggles; international division of labor and livelihood; cultural identity; nationalism and ethnonationalism, race and gender relations; movements for peace; and human rights and the environment.
Topical Outline:
1. Historical Methods
2. The Postwar World
3. The Collapse of the European Empires
4. New Nations
5. The End of the Cold War
6. The Recent Past
Learning Outcomes:
1. Evaluate primary documents as a way to understand the past
2. Evaluate secondary sources as a way to understand the past
3. Construct historical arguments using evidence
4. Understand the themes, people, and events important to recent World History
Prerequisites:
Placement into
READ 0200 or
ESOL 0052 or completion of
READ 0100 or
ESOL 0042
MnTC:
- Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Goal 8: Global Perspectives