Course Description
This course will focus on western civilization from the Renaissance to the present. Through the use of primary and secondary materials, the course explores the political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural history of the West to examine the achievements of modern Western Civilization, and their impact throughout the world. Course topics include the Age of Exploration, the Reformation, Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the European Union.
Recommended Prerequisite
- HIS 121: Western Civilization 1
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify the significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in modern Western Civilization.
- Examine the major events and figures in the history of the Western world from the Reformation through the Present.
- Discuss the importance of historical sources within historical context to draw inferences about the events in that shape the Reformation to the present.
- Explain the differences in the various eras of European history.
- Identify and describe the differences between the ideals that shaped the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment.
- Evaluate the impact of the various intellectual, political, and social movements.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 35% |
Quizzes (Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Avatar Blogs (Weeks 1-7) | 20% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Hunt, Lynn. Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, Volume 2. 7th ed. Bedford Books, 2022. ISBN-10: 1-319-33154-8 or ISBN-13: 978-1-319-33154-2
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,3 | Topics: Review of the Renaissance, the Rise of Global Encounters, & the Reformation Readings:
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2 | 1,2,3,6 | Topics: Absolutism, Constitutionalism, and the Search for Order (1640-1700) Readings:
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3 | 3,5,6 | Topic: The Promise of Enlightenment and the Cataclysm of Revolution (1750-1799) Readings:
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4 | 1,4,5,6 | Topics: Napoleon and the Revolutionary Legacy, Industrialization, and Social Ferment (1800-1850) Readings:
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5 | 1,2,6 | Topics: Politics and Culture of the Nation-State, Empire, Industry, and Everyday Life (1850-1890) Readings:
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6 | 2,3,6 | Topics: Modernity, World War I, and Its Aftermath (1890-1929) Readings:
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7 | 1,2,3 | Topics: The Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the remaking of Europe (1929-1970s) Readings:
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8 | 1-6 | Topics: The End of the Cold War and a New Globalism (1970s-Present) Readings:
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FINAL EXAM | |||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.