World history/WHME100 OERu course specification

=Part A: Course specification=

Metadata

 * OERu course name: World history in the early modern and modern eras
 * Level: 1st year Bachelor's degree
 * Notional learning hours: 120 hours
 * Micro-courses Three micro-courses of 40 hours each
 * World history in the early modern era (WHME101)
 * Imperialism and war (WHME102)
 * World War II to the present (WHME103)
 * OERu course codes: WHME101, WHME102 and WHME103
 * OERu assessing institutions: Thomas Edison State University
 * Micro-credential options: No
 * OERu mode of study: Self-directed study or cohort-based independent study with peer-learning support.

Course aim
Examine the historical forces form the early modern to modern periods which have shaped world societies today.

Learning outcomes

 * 1) Examine the major historical developments and events during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries including the political revolutions at the close of the early modern period.
 * 2) Examine the major historical developments and events during the nineteenth century, and during the twentieth century prior to World War Two.
 * 3) Examine the major historical developments and events from the Second World War to the present day.

Indicative content

 * The Atlantic world in the 1600s
 * Global trade: Europe,the Middle East and Asia during the 1600s
 * Impact of global trade during the 1600s
 * Changing political systems and colonial conflicts during the 1600s and 1700s
 * Absolutist political systems in Europe, the Middle East and Asia
 * Reformation and counter-reformation in Europe during the 1600s and 1700s
 * Spread of Islam in Africa, the Middle East and Asia
 * Enlightenment
 * Political revolutions (The French Revolution, American Revolution and other revolutions during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
 * Scientific and industrial revolutions (1600s through to late 1700s)
 * Imperialism in the 'long nineteenth century' (French Revolution (1789) to the outbreak of World War One (1914))
 * World War One
 * Interwar years (examining Europe and America during the interwar period with a focus on economic history)
 * Rise of totalitarian states (Russia and Italy) and militarism (Germany and Japan)
 * World War Two
 * Reconstruction of Europe and Asia post World War Two
 * The Cold War, decolonisation in the developing world and effects of the Cold War
 * Developing nations in modern times
 * Globalisation

Pre-requisites

 * Learners whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English as indicated by a Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 on the written version; 213 on the computer version; or 79 on the Internet based version.

=Part B: Detailed objectives=

Micro-course structure
Learners are required to complete three micro-courses in preparation for the assessment.

Micro-course aims
World History: The Early Modern Period is a free micro Open Online Course (mOOC) designed for students who would like to learn more about the forces that shaped the modern world. This course will help you to:


 * 1) Understand the patterns of commerce that dominated in the 1600s.
 * 2) Examine how global trade during this period had major economic, political, social, cultural and ecological impacts.
 * 3) Learn about the rise of absolutism, how absolutist political system functioned and the challenges they experienced.
 * 4) Understand how colonialism developed.
 * 5) Explore how the Reformation challenged the hegemony of the Catholic church, and how the church responded.
 * 6) Learn about Islamic empires during this period, and how trade contributed to the spread of Islam.
 * 7) Reflect on the new ways of understanding the world that developed during the Enlightenment.
 * 8) Examine the origins, events and impacts of the American and French Revolutions.
 * 9) Consider how the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions helped create the modern world.

Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:


 * 1) Outline the major factors that shaped world history during the early modern era.
 * 2) Explain how key developments functioned individually and in concert to create different outcomes.
 * 3) Assess the role of trade in contributing to religious, political, economic and cultural change.
 * 4) Explain the important role of religion in global affairs during this period.
 * 5) Describe the origins and consequences of the political, scientific and industrial revolutions.
 * 6) Explain how European imperialism and the slave trade changed the face of the globe.
 * 7) Explain how the Enlightenment led to fundamentally different ways of conceptualizing society.


 * List of objectives

Micro-course aims
World History: Imperialism and War is a free micro Open Online Course (mOOC) designed for students who would like to learn more about the forces that shaped the modern world. This course will help you to:


 * 1) Learn about imperialism in the long nineteenth century
 * 2) Explore the ideological justifications for imperialism
 * 3) Examine the impacts of imperialism on subject peoples, and resistance to imperialism
 * 4) Understand the causes of World War One
 * 5) Learn about the key events and battles of World War One
 * 6) Reflect on the impact of World War One in Europe and globally
 * 7) Examine the Russian Revolution
 * 8) Learn about the Great Depression
 * 9) Explore the rise of totalitarian states

Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:


 * 1) Outline the major factors that shaped world history during the long nineteenth century
 * 2) Summarize the causes and impacts of World War One
 * 3) Explain the ideologies that were used to justify imperialism and war
 * 4) Describe the forces that drove new imperialism
 * 5) Assess the role of new technologies in facilitating imperialism and war
 * 6) Outline the origins of the Great Depression and its impact on people's lives around the world
 * 7) Explain the factors that led to the rise of totalitarianism in Russia, Italy, Germany and Japan

Micro-course aims
World History: World War II to the Present is a free micro Open Online Course (mOOC) designed for students who would like to learn more about the forces that shaped the modern world. This course will help you to:


 * 1) Explore the causes of World War Two
 * 2) Learn about key events and crucial battles during World War Two
 * 3) Learn about the Holocaust
 * 4) Examine the aftermath of World War Two and the recovery process in Europe and Asia
 * 5) Investigate the creation of the United Nations
 * 6) Learn about the Cold War
 * 7) Examine the decolonization period, and the economic development of the developing world
 * 8) Learn about the end of the Cold War and its aftermath
 * 9) Explore the impacts of globalization

Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:


 * 1) Outline the causes and impacts of World War Two.
 * 2) Explain the short and long term consequences of World War Two.
 * 3) Explain what led to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race.
 * 4) Explain the factors that contributed to the decolonization process.
 * 5) Describe the evolution of mechanisms to protect human rights.
 * 6) Explain the major political, economic and ideological realignments in the post-World War Two period.
 * 7) Analyse the impacts of globalization.

Course links (if available)

 * Planning page
 * Course materials
 * WHME101 Outline (World history in the early modern era) - Wordpress site for WHME101
 * WHME102 Outline (Imperialism and War) - Wordpress site for WHME102
 * WHME103 Outline (World War II to the Present) - Wordpress site for WHME103