CORE 132 The 20th Century: Global Perspectives
Frank Dutton, fjdutton@kings.edu
SPRING 2005 

THE CORE CURRICULUM: CIVILIZATION SEQUENCE

Civilization courses are designed to explore in some depth the complex dimensions of the human experience. These courses study the cumulative experiences of the past to assist in understanding our complex world and assist in the responsible shaping of the future of that world. 

CIVILIZATION: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES 

OBJECTIVES

1. To be familiar with the main stages of civilization as an expanding force which has produced important forms of political, social, economic, and cultural organization which are our common heritage;  
2. To identify major events, persons, and ideas which contributed to the development of western, including American, and non-western attitudes and institutions; 
3. To develop concepts which give meaning and order to the raw material of man's recorded past; 
4. To identify and to analyze significant problems and situations as they relate to the continuing issues of contemporary life. 

CIVILIZATION: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

GOALS

1. To improve understanding of the major events which have influenced the modern world; 
2. To understand the influence of the past on contemporary events and problems; 
3. To be an intelligent consumer and evaluator of information about events taking place in the world; 
4. To develop a global perspective which recognizes the political, economic, and cultural interdependence of all nations. 

CORE 132: The 20th Century: A Global Perspective

A Global Perspective is the second course in the Civilization sequence of the CORE Curriculum.

Historical literacy is essential to the education of the professional man or woman of the 21st century and his or her ability to judge and decide both private and public issues in a context which respects varied and appropriate traditions. The 20th Century: A Global Perspective focuses on issues, events, and crises which have influenced and been influenced by the role of the United States in the world in the twentieth century. The major political, social, economic, and cultural events and forces of this period will be examined in this course.

Specific Benefits of CORE 132: The 20th Century: A Global Perspective

1. It hones skill at evaluating data for authenticity or spuriousness, reliability or unreliability; it trains the mind to weigh and to ponder before acceptance or rejection. 
2. It expands understanding and knowledge of the world in which we live. 
3. It encourages the development of independent thinking, as well as the application of deductive and inductive reasoning, in the formation and validation of hypotheses and conclusions. 
4. It compels acknowledgment of the complexity and variety of the human experience and encourages a sensitivity to the myriad values and perspectives which have often been at conflict. 
5. It confronts us with the moral problem of making judgements about those who occupied center stage in world history in this period. 
6. It stimulates and develops problem-solving, skeptical judgement and decision-making analysis. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

TEXTBOOK

Goff, Moss, et al. THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: A Brief Global History. Sixth Edition.  New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 2002. 

READING ASSIGNMENTS

The General Course Outline identifies topics related to chapters in the text, these are to be read prior to discussion of the material in class lectures. The same expectation applies to additional readings, which may be placed on reserve in the D. Leonard Corgan Library or will be distributed in class.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Two (2) papers will be assigned. Three (3) sources should be used for each of the papers—one of which must be the textbook. All three sources, including the textbook, should be properly cited in the body of the papers. The topics and questions to be answered in the papers are listed and detailed on the last page of the syllabus. DO NOT merely list the questions and then an answer. The answers to the questions should be incorporated into the body of the paper. Make sure you explain yourself thoroughly. The papers should be written in an essay format—an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. 

Due Dates:
The Two World Wars—due Tuesday, February 22, 2005
The Cold War—due Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Papers should be a minimum of seven (7) pages long.

Regarding the use of sources: Although the only source to be used is the textbook—you should still properly cite your source. See the NOTE below for further clarification.

NOTE: You are required to cite your sources in the text of your papers through the use of in-text citations-MLA Style or footnotes/endnotes, followed by a Works Cited or Bibliography page. Use your source material (the textbook) to support your position in the papers. For further instruction regarding this please see the study guides available at the D. Leonard Corgan Library. It is important to remember that if you do not cite your sources properly it can be considered plagiarism, which is a form of academic dishonesty and can result in a failing grade in the course and additional action, by college officials.
All students will be expected to submit papers in typed or word-processed form. Handwritten work will NOT be accepted. 

NOTE: Papers not submitted on time will be severely penalized—2 points per day will be deducted. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of class—Tues, May 3, 2005. 

TESTS

There will be three (3) written tests given during the semester including the final examination. The final examination will be given according to the Registrar’s examination schedule.
The test dates will be as follows:
Test #1—Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Test #2—Thursday, March 31, 2005
Final—the week of May 6—May 13, 2005
The tests will be based on the lectures and text reading materials, as assigned. The general structure of the tests will be essay. Each test will be non-comprehensive and will review the most recent materials covered. 
NOTE: Absence on the day of a scheduled test will not be excused unless a serious reason has been explained to the instructor (in advance, if possible) and arrangements for a make-up test are made within five (5) class days of the scheduled test. It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT to arrange the make-up with the instructor. It should not be presumed that mere absence on the day of an examination will automatically secure a test make-up.

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION

Regular participation in classroom discussions is expected from each student. This participation will be noted and weighed in the overall semester grade evaluation as a growth/development factor.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is required and will play a part in the determination of the final grade. No student will receive a higher grade than the percentage of classes attended. Excused absences are not included in this count. Instructor must be informed, prior to class, if a student needs to leave early.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Any form of academic dishonesty, as outlined in the Student Handbook, can result in a failing grade in the course and additional action by college officials. This means that you must cite your sources in all your papers. 

SEMESTER GRADE EVALUATION

The determination of the final semester grade will be based on the successful completion of all requirements for the course using numerical values as follows: 
· Tests: Total - 45% = Tests I, II, and III - 15% each 
· Written Assignments - 45% - 15% each 
· Participation, and Growth/Development - 15% 
The general grading scale to be used is as follows: 
A+ = 98 A = 95 A- = 92 
B+ = 88 B = 85 B- = 82 
C+ = 78 C = 75 C- = 72 
D+ = 68 D = 65 F = 59

OFFICE CONTACT/OFFICE HOURS

Learning is not achieved only within the confines of a classroom. To that end be advised of the following:

• Personal consultations are welcome and encouraged. Submissions of “rough drafts” of writing assignments is highly desirable, as is consultation regarding research for writing assignments and/or test reviews.
• Office: Hafey-Marian Hall, Room 312
• Office Hours: : Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:15—1:45PM. Other times may be arranged by appointment.
• Contact may also be made e-mail. My e-mail address is: fjdutton@kings.edu.
• I can also be contacted by phone/voice mail (Ext. 5637). Since this is shared voice-mail make sure you indicate that the message is for me. 

CLASS TOPICS (Subject to amendment by instructor)

At the conclusion of the semester the student should have an understanding of the following:

• Dawn of the 20th Century
• The Major World Powers
• Britain
• European Alliances
• Growth of Armaments
• Crises—Morocco/Balkans
• World War I
• Postwar Settlements
• Russian Revolution
• The United States 1918-1940
• Colonial Empires
• Rise of Fascism
• Origins of World War II
• World War II
• The Post World War II Era
• China
• Decolonization of Africa & Asia
• The Middle-East
• The Cold War
• End of the Century

Essay Paper Topics

Paper #1—The Two World Wars—due Tuesday, February 22, 2005
What factors lead to World War I?
How did the resolution of World War I lead to the start of World War II?
What factors lead to World War II?
How did the major world powers deal with these crises?


Paper #2—The Cold War—due Tuesday, April 12, 2005
What was the Cold War?
What countries were involved?
At what points did the Cold War heat up?
What role did the collapse of European empires play?
What were some of the other crises during this period?

NOTE: DO NOT merely list the questions and then an answer. The answers to the questions should be incorporated into the body of the paper. Make sure you explain yourself thoroughly. The paper should be written in an essay format—an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The papers should be a minimum of 4 pages long. REMEMBER: The textbook is your only resource, but it still should be properly cited in the body of the paper with in-text citations.

<http://departments.kings.edu/history/132dutton.html>
2005
Frank Dutton, fjdutton@kings.edu