Introduction
and Goals
I don't think of history merely 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,
and why. 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 mass movements, revolutions, and 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 source to its deeper meanings,
how research can turn raw information into useful knowledge, and how to
express our thoughts clearly in discussion and in writing.
Required
Books (available at the UCen and IV Bookstores; Reader at GrafikArt)
(back to top)
- Edward Judge & John Langdon, Connections, A World History
(Pearson, 2009), vol. II. ($64)
This textbook strikes a good balance between conciseness, coverage, and
readability.
Website: http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_judge_connections_1mylab/.
The Class ID is cm293386.
- Reader of additional essays and sources, available at the GrafikArt
on Pardall Rd. in IV, $10.43.
- Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah
Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African (1789), (Bedford 2006 ed.,
edited and introduced by Robert Allison).
This autobiography of a former slave played an important role in the antislavery
movement.
Reserve room call no: HT869.E6 A3 1995
- Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (Boston:
Bedford, 2009 [earlier ok]).
This is an excellent how-to guide about writing history papers and preparing
for exams.
Reserve room call no: D13 .R295 2007
- iClicker: Classroom response unit, for answering questions and polls
in class.
Course Requirements
(back to top)
- 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. Ultimately what you get out of this
course is what you put in.
- 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.
- Discussion Sections (20%, see below). Attendance is mandatory
and TAs will call roll.
Preparation for section is crucial! Much of your section grade depends
on your participation.
- Readings. Four books are required: the textbook, a reader of
articles and sources, an autobiography, and a guide to studying and writing
history.
- Two Papers : This course fulfills the General
Education writing requirement, so ...
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.
You MUST upload your paper to the GauchoSpace website by the set due date
to be checked against other papers and internet sources by pairwise.
- Formalities:
*All work must be typewritten and carefully spell-checked and proofread.
*Number your pages (in a word processor: Insert->Page
Numbers, 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).
- 5a. Equiano essay (15%; 600-800 words, 2-3 pages), due Tuesday,
Oct. 20, 8am.
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?
- 5b. Family History essay. (20%, 1200-1400 words, ca. 5 pages)
- The core of this paper is an interview with a relative (grandparent,
parent, aunt, uncle) or family friend. It should focus on two aspects:
a migration experience (from another country, state, city or within a city),
and a world-historical event that that person lived through.
- a prospectus about the person you will interview, including the significant
event and some research about the migration and that event, is due Tues.,
Nov. 10, 8am.
- A detailed handout about this assignment will be distributed separately.
- the final oral history research paper is due Tuesday Dec. 1, 8am
in lecture.
- Examinations. There will be a midterm and a final.
a) In-class midterm (15%), Thu., Oct. 29. Three IDs chosen from 6, one
essay question.
b) A two-hour final examination (20%), Tue., Dec. 8, 7:30pm. Three IDs
chosen from 9, one post-midterm and one comprehensive essay question. A
study guide will be available.
Grading
(back to top)
Section 20%
iClicker participation 5%
Equiano paper 15%
Midterm 15%
Family History Essay 25%
Final Exam 20% |
The TAs do most of the grading according
to standards set by the professor. If you feel your work was graded inappropriately,
you must discuss this first with your TA. If you are still unsatisfied,
you may write an explanation, have it initialed by your TA, and submit
it to me, with all of your work for the course. I may lower a grade as
well as raise it. |
Discussion
Sections (back to top)
- ENROLLMENT
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 meeting
of the section in which they are enrolled will be dropped automatically
if other students are waiting to enroll. Contact your TA immediately if
you cannot attend the first section. (back
to top)
TA |
Office |
Office Hours |
e-mail |
sections |
Eric Fenrich |
HSSB 3217 |
W 4-5
Th 9:30-10:30 |
efenrich
@umail |
Wed, 12-1: Arts 1251
Wed. 2-3: Ellsn 2816
Wed. 5-6: Girv 2110 |
Judy Kingkaysone |
HSSB 3228 |
T 9:30-10:30
F 9-10 |
jkingkaysone
@umail |
Fri. 8-9: Girv 2120
Fri. 11-12: Girv 2110
Fri. 12-1: Girv 2110 |
Sunny Lim |
HSSB 3228 |
W 10-12 |
slim01
@umail |
Tue. 7-8pm: Girv 2135
Wed 8-9am: HSSB 2251
Wed. 3-4: Girv 2129 |
Damian Nemirovsky |
HSSB 3235 |
W 4-5 & by appt. |
damian01
@umail |
Wed. 1-2: Ellsn 2816
Wed. 6-7: Girv 2110
Wed. 7-8pm: HSSB 2202 |
Dustin Walker |
HSSB 3218 |
Thu 10-11
Fri 9:30-10:30 |
|
Thu. 12-1: HSSB 2202
Thu. 1-2: HSSB 2202
Thu. 4-5: Girv 2135 |
Communication
(back to top)
I am very interested in feedback from you. Questions or comments during
lecture are very helpful. After lecture you are welcome to come up and
talk, or walk back towards the HSSB with me. I'm available during my office
hours, and you can contact me by e-mail (marcuse@history.ucsb.edu).
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. Please feel
free to ask questions of me then as well.
Course Websites (back
to top)
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 2-4 hours each week--I ask that you spend that much time
on it!
The Equiano book and reader selections must be read BEFORE YOUR
SECTION MEETING that week. |