UCSB Hist 2C, Spring 2008
World History 1700-present
Campbell Hall, T-Th 12:30-1:45
marcuse.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/classes/2c

Prof. Marcuse (homepage)
HSSB 4221, 893-2635
marcuse@history.ucsb.edu
Office hours: Tue. & Thu. 2-3pm

Introduction and Goals

I don't think of history as a lot of information that "everyone should know." For me, it is a wealth of experiences, some of which are interesting and entertaining (like good books or movies), and many of which help me to understand and evaluate what is going on in the world. In this course we will study some historical experiences that should be helpful in making sense of the present. Some of those experiences are the lives of exceptional people, some of ordinary people. Some are great history-shaping events such as popular movements, revolutions or wars. And some are ideas that have helped people to see the world around them in new ways, and have led to monumental changes in the way they--and we--live.

While we study these experiences, we will also learn and practice some historical skills, such as how to find and draw meaning from primary sources, how to think beyond the obvious level of a story to its deeper meanings, and how to express our thoughts clearly in discussion and in writing.

Required Books (available at the UCen and IV Bookstores; Reader at AS copy) (back to top)

• Tignor et al, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart ["WTWA"](Norton, 2nd ed, 2008), vol. II. This textbook has an excellent interpretative framework, guiding questions, graphics, and readability. $57. Website: HU http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/worlds2/
• Reader for discussion section (71 pages), available at the AS Copy in the UCen, $7.
• Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African (1789), (Bedford 2007 ed., edited and introduced by Robert Allison), $16. This autobiography of a former slave played an important role in the antislavery movement.
• Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History ( Boston: Bedford, 2006 ed.), $16.
  This guide offers excellent advice on thesis statements and many other relevant questions.

Course Requirements (back to top)

1. Effort . Take ownership of the course! It is yours--think of the professor as a guide who will help you to explore some aspects of the vast terrain of modern world history. Let me know where you want to go, what you want to learn about, and when you are lost.
2. Lectures . Attendance is required. Lectures include materials not available elsewhere. Neither I nor the TAs have time to fill in absent students. Please come on time. Arriving late or leaving early is rude and distracts the professor and disturbs other students.
3. Discussion Sections (20%, see below). Attendance is mandatory and TAs will call roll. Preparation for section is crucial!TAs base part of your grade on your section participation.
4. 3 online surveys . These will be distributed by e-mail; each will have about 10 questions.
   Introductory: course demographics, student preparation and goals;
   Midterm: your assessment of the course so far (so that we can make corrections);
   Final: more course-specific questions and ratings than the in-class assessment that you fill out.
5. Readings and outside events . Four books are required: the textbook, a reader of articles and sources, an autobiography, and a guide to studying and writing history. For the second paper you will need to attend an outside event or purchase one additional book. Suitable events and books will be listed on the course web site.
6. Two Papers : This course fulfills the General Education writing requirement.
   If you do not submit and pass both writing assignments, you will fail this course.
   • Late policy : grades will be reduced 5% per day, beginning at the start of lecture.
   • Plagiarism : will not be tolerated. Details on the course website and your section syllabus.
   • Formalities :
     *All work must be typewritten and carefully spell-checked and proofread.
     *Number your pages (in a word processor: U I U nsert->Page N U u U mbers, or by hand!).
     *At the top of each assignment you should write:
     i) your name,
     ii) your TA's name and the section time,
     iii) the date, and
     iv) the word count (select the whole body text, then go to Tools->Word count).
   • 6a. Equiano essay (20%; 800-1000 words, 3-4 pages; due Tuesday, April 22, 12:30pm). Vassa/Equiano wrote his autobiography to expose the evils of slavery and prove that Africans are equal to Europeans in all respects. What arguments does he make in order to do this? Often he anticipates criticism and counterarguments. What are some of the justifications of slavery that he refutes? What is his evidence? Pick several arguments and assess them: do they convince you? If so, why, and if not, why not? .
   • 6b. Research essay . (1000-1200 words, ca. 4 pages)
     Attend some of the outside events listed on the course web site (or others approved by your TA). Write a paragraph or two summarizing one of them, including what the author’s intention(s) and arguments were. Do some background research on the author or topic, so that you can put it into (a historical) context. Depending on their detail and quality, 2-4 outside sources will be necessary. Use concepts and arguments from this course to analyze the film or presentation, and try to relate it to one or more of the topics of the course. What insights have you gained by applying what you have learned in this course? You should address counterarguments; however, this is not an editorial, but a balanced assessment.
     • Research Essay: 20%; due Tuesday May 20, 12:30pm in lecture.
     • Revised version: 5%; due Thursday June 5, 12:30pm. In this version you will incorporate sugges­tions made by your TA on your draft. In order to receive credit, you must submit the commented original as well (possible electronic submission of revision). You should be able to present and discuss your essay in section.
7. Examinations . There will be a midterm and a final.
   1. In-class midterm (15%), Thu., May 1. Three IDs chosen from 6, one essay question.
   2. A two-hour final examination (20%), Mon., June 9. Three IDs chosen from 9, one post-midterm and one comprehensive essay question. A study guide will be available.

Discussion Sections (back to top)

• You must officially enroll in the section you are attending, no exceptions. Enrollment after the first day of classes is only possible with a code from the TA in charge. Students who have not attended the first two meetings of the section in which they are enrolled will be dropped automatically if other students are waiting to enroll. (back to top)

Communication (back to top)

I am very interested in feedback from you. You are welcome to ask questions during lecture. After lecture you are also welcome to come up and talk, or walk back towards the HSSB with me. I'm available during my office hours, and I encourage you to contact me by e-mail (marcuse@history.ucsb.edu). (See also p. 1, #4: online surveys.)
I will also be attending sections throughout the quarter to find out how things are going and observe how you are doing in the course. You are welcome to ask questions then as well.

Course Websites (back to top)

The course website is an integral part of the course. I post announcements, lecture notes, handouts and study guides there, as well as a list of suggested events and books for the research paper. The URL is: http://marcuse.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/classes/2c . There is also a password protected website with chat, forums etc.: https://sakaiapp2.isc.ucsb.edu/portal/; login with your UCSBnet ID in the upper right, then click Hist 2c on the blue menu bar.
Some readings are available on eRes at the library: http://eres.library.ucsb.edu/, password: remain.

Reading Assignments (back to top)

The assigned textbook chapters correlate with the lectures each week. You will get much more out of the lectures if you read the assigned chapters before the lectures. At 15 pages/hour the textbook reading will take about 3 hours each week--all I ask is that you spend that much time!
The paperback and reader selections must be read before your section meeting that week.