Department of History Trent University HIST 1701H: World ...

Department of History
Trent University

HIST 1701H: World History to 1800

Instructor: Trent Email: Telephone:
Matthew Stubbings [email protected] N/A

Campus: Office Location: Office Hours:
Durham-UOIT TBD W 1:30-3:30

Academic Administrative Assistant: Email:
Trisha Gayle Pearce [email protected]

Office Location: Telephone:
Lady Eaton College, S 101.3 705-748-1011

Course Description:

This course introduces significant topics and themes of world history to 1800. It examines the
connective and comparative aspects of Asian, African, Mediterranean, American, and European
civilizations to the “modern era.” Specifically, we will explore, in lectures, course readings, and
class assignments, key themes including state and empire formation, war and conquest,
migration, commerce, exploration, social hierarchy and division, scientific knowledge, and
culture and religion. From the construction of the pyramids in Egypt, to Alexander’s and the
Mongols’ Eurasian conquests, and the vast Qing and Aztec Empires, we shall endeavor to
abandon a “Eurocentric” historical understanding and show how Europe was a limited, and
sometimes powerless, actor in the global project of history. Lastly, this class provides an
opportunity for students to research and write on a favorite topic in world history within the
context of the key course themes.

Required Texts:

Peter von Sivers, Charles A. Desnoyers and George B. Stow, Patterns of World History, Second
Edition (Oxford University Press, 2014). This text is available at the Campus Bookstore.

Jane Burbank and Frederick Cooper, Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of
Difference (Princeton University Press, 2010). This text is placed on library course reserve.

Course Format

Type Day Time Location

Lecture W 4:10-7:00pm Simcoe Building

J127

Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals/Expectations: I have developed the course to address
several learning outcomes. By the end of the course a successful student should have:

1. Competent knowledge of the major civilizations and themes in World History to 1800
2. Understood the importance of global connections and comparative analyses to the study

of World History
3. Engaged and analyzed Primary and Secondary historical material in a writing project
4. Prepared for group discussions and draw effectively on reading material for oral

discussion purposes.
5. Strengthen reading, communication, and critical thinking skills

Course Evaluation:

Type of Assignment Weighting Due Date
30 Sept
Map Quiz: 5%
You will complete an in-class 20 minute map quiz. It will
assess your knowledge of key historical locations. This
test is worth 5% of the final grade.

Group Assignment and Class Participation 10% Group 07 Oct
5% Audience 14 Oct
The class will be divided into six groups of four. These 04 Nov
groups are responsible for leading a one hour class 11 Nov
discussion on particular chapters of Patterns of World 18 Nov
History. 02 Dec

They are assessed by their ability to present a summary
of the chapters, including one primary document
featured in the textbook (30 Minutes), and provide
questions for their classmates on the material to
stimulate discussion (30 Minutes).

Each group is responsible for submitting their
questions to the instructor at least 24 hours before the
presentation. In addition, the group will submit a two
page summary report to the instructor detailing their
summary and questions at the beginning of class. Each
student is individually assessed on their ability to
engage with group questions over the term.

The group will be assessed a grade worth 10%, their

classmates an individual grade worth 5%. This
assignment is worth 15% of the final grade.

Midterm Exam 20% 21 Oct
This is a 2hr in-class closed-book written test on all the 25% 25 Nov
material covered in the course up to 14 Oct. It is worth
20% of the final grade.
Research Paper
This is an individual assignment. It is a writing project
which allows an opportunity to choose, research, and
write on a particular person, event, or civilization in
the context of a key course theme. The latter will
include state and empire formation, war and conquest,
commerce, migration, exploration, social hierarchy and
division, scientific knowledge, culture and religion.

The essay requires the use of two secondary sources and

one primary source. Although finding these sources is
the student’s responsibility, we will, as a class, look at

available online resources during our Essay Workshop.

The essay should be 6-8 pages (min 6 pages-max 8
pages), and will include footnotes and a bibliography
based on the Chicago format. It is due at the beginning
of class and is worth 25% of the final grade.

Final Exam 35% TBD

This is a cumulative exam on all material covered in the

course. It is worth 35% of the final grade.

Week-by-week schedule:

Each class will feature an initial two hour lecture, and then a one hour segment for group
presentations and assignment preparation.

Date Topic Readings
16 Sept Introduction to key course Patterns: Ch. 1, 3, 4, 5
themes, topics, and class
23 Sept assignments. Patterns: Ch. 2, 7
Early Humans and Early
Civilizations
The Mediterranean: Persia,
Greece, and Rome

30 Sept Islam and Global Expansion Patterns: Ch. 10, 16, 25.
07 Oct Test: Map Quiz Patterns: Ch. 6, 14, 19
14 Oct Group Prep Patterns: Ch. 9, 12, 21
21 Oct Africa: Chiefdoms and State Ch. 13, 21
28 Oct formations.
04 Nov Group Presentation #1 Empires: Ch. 4
China: Qin to Qing Dynasty
11 Nov Group Presentation #2 Patterns: Ch. 8, 12, 20
18 Nov Test: Midterm Patterns: Ch. 6, 15
25 Nov Korea, Vietnam, and the TBD
Japanese Shogunates
02 Dec Break Patterns: Ch. 16, 17, 18, 19.
The Mongols: Eurasian
09 Dec connections
Group Presentation #3
Essay Workshop
Exam handback
India and the Mughals
Group Presentation #4
Central and South America:
Mayans, Aztecs, Incas
Group Presentation #5

North America: Tribes and
Nations
Assignment: Research
Paper Due (at beginning of
class)
The Rise of Europe:
Exploration, Trade, and
Conquest (1492-1800)
Group Presentation #6
Review and Final Exam Prep
Paper handback

All class slides, the course syllabus, and assignments instructions will be posted online via
Blackboard.

Assignment Late Policy:

On the group project, a delay by one week will be penalized 21% (3%x7days)

On the research essay, a penalty of 3% per day, including weekends, will be assessed.

Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if there are extenuating circumstances for a
late submission. A requested extension within 24 hours of the deadline will require
verification.

University Policies

Academic Integrity:
Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism and cheating, is an extremely serious academic
offence and carries penalties varying from failure on an assignment to expulsion from the
University. Definitions, penalties, and procedures for dealing with plagiarism and cheating are
set out in Trent University’s Academic Integrity Policy. You have a responsibility to educate
yourself – unfamiliarity with the policy is not an excuse. You are strongly encouraged to visit
Trent’s Academic Integrity website to learn more: www.trentu.ca/academicintegrity.

Access to Instruction:
It is Trent University's intent to create an inclusive learning environment. If a student
has a disability and documentation from a regulated health care practitioner and feels
that he/she may need accommodations to succeed in a course, the student should
contact the Student Accessibility Services Office (SAS) at the respective campus as
soon as possible, (Peterborough, Blackburn Hall, Suite 132, 705-748-1281 or email
[email protected]
For Trent University – Durham, Thornton Road, Room 111 contact 905-435-5102 ext.
5024 or email [email protected] Complete text can be found under Access to
Instruction in the Academic Calendar.