Perspectives: World 1800 to Present

Professor: Xin Zhang

Office: CA 503P

Office Hours: T.Th. 12:15-2:30; or by appointment

Office Phone: (317) 274-4898

This course is a survey of the World History between 1800 and present. A background knowledge of World Civilization from the origins to A.D. 1800, is desirable, but not absolutely necessary. The purpose of this course is to encourage an appreciation for different culture in the global context and to acquaint students with significant historical events that made an impact on mankind.

Further, this course is designed to encourage the development of IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning in the following ways: Communication and Quantitative Skills are developed through writing a researched paper and taking essay exams enabling the student to develop skills targeted at expressing ideas and facts in a variety of written formats, understanding and interpreting texts, and applying these ideas in order to answer questions. Critical Thinking: By reading text, doing research, and listening to lecture the student gains the ability to take information from a variety of sources, combine and synthesize sources in order to use this knowledge to evaluate and understand different perspectives. Understanding Society and Culture: By studying the world history, the student is exposed to a variety of diverse cultural perspectives and required to evaluate history within a different culture perspective of not only time but place. This ability will assist the student in understanding complex cultural questions in today’s world.

Students taking the course are required to take two written exams, a midterm and a final, and to write one term paper on a subject related to the World. The midterm exam is scheduled for _____, and the final exam for______. The final exam will include only the materials covered since midterm.

Paper Assignment: The paper will be ten pages long and use at least two books as reference material. These books should be history books, not textbooks, and on the subject of your paper. You may use additional books to help fill in material as necessary. Additional material can come from texts or web pages. Cautionary note: web sites must be of sufficient academic quality that they are reliable for research purposes. If you have a question about a site, have it checked first by the instructor.

Papers will be graded on content and quality of research, but also on grammar and punctuation. All papers should have a well-developed introduction and conclusion. Any papers turned in with inadequate editing will receive a lower grade. Papers meeting the minimum requirements will receive an average grade: C.

The papers can be on any topic of interest so long as the subject meets the following guidelines: the main area of research must be before the year 1950, although conclusion may take you past 1950. Any papers that fall outside these guidelines will be returned ungraded. I will be happy to discuss any paper topics prior to your beginning your research. You shall include footnotes and a bibliography.

The course will primarily be lecture. Slide presentations, video displaying and student discussion will supplement the format.

Attendance Policy: An attendance sheet will be passed around at each lecture. You may miss 4 lectures without any excuses needed. Any subsequent absences will result in the loss of a letter grade. Be no later than 10 minutes to class, you will be counted absent after 10 minutes. You will also be marked absent if you should leave class early. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the attendance sheet. It is our only record of your presence. Later protests that you were in class on a given day but failed to sign in will not result in a forgiveness of the missing class. It is imperative that you sign the attendance sheet each day!

Assessment Methods: Midterm Exam (30%), term paper (40%), final exam (30%).

Required Readings:

William J. Duiker & Jackson J. Spielvogel

World History: Since 1500

William J. Duiker & Jackson J. Spielvogel (Prepared by Donna Van Raaphorst)

World History: Since 1500 (Student Work Book)

Course Requirements:

1) Regular class attendance (missing no more than four lectures for day-time classes and two nights for evening classes).

2) Two written exams: each exam will include only the materials covered since the previous one.

3) One paper: on the topic chosen by the students themselves. The papers may at least two books as references. Copying from textbooks is not allowed.

The length of term paper: 5-10 doublespaced, typewritten pages. Using a computer for wordprocessing is encouraged. The following is the guideline for the term paper:

1)choose two (or more) books for reference

2)summarize the arguments of the authors

3)use some facts from the book to back up your argument

4)conduct your analysis

5)10-15 double-spaced and typewritten pages in length

6)include footnotes and a bibliography

Due date: one week before the final exam.

Assessment Methods: Midterm Exam (30%), term paper (40%), and final exam (30%).

Policy concerning plagiarism

Plagiarism is the offering of the work of someone else as one's own. Honesty requires that any ideas or materials taken from another source from either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged. The language or ideas taken from another may range from isolated formulas, sentences, or paragraphs to entire articles copies from books, periodicals, speeches, or the writings of other students. The offering of materials assembled or collected by others in the form of projects or collections without acknowledgment is also considered plagiarism. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas or materials taken from another source is guilty of plagiarism.

A faculty member who has evidence that a students is guilty of cheating or plagiarism shall initiate the process of determining the students' guilt or innocence. No penalty shall be imposed until the student has been informed of the charge and of the evidence on which it is based and has been given an opportunity to present a defense. If the faculty member assesses a penalty within the course and promptly reports and the case in writing to the dean of the school or comparable head of the academic unit. The report should included the names of any other students who may be involved in the incident and recommendations for further action. The dean, in consultation with the faculty member if the latter so desires, will initiate any further disciplinary proceeding s and inform the faculty member of any action taken. In every case, a record of the offenses remains on file in the Office of the Dean.