Wright State University

History 3900--Global Encounters

Fall 2014

Christopher Oldstone-Moore

Millett 368

Office Hours: T/Th 2-3:15 pm

christopher.oldstone[email protected]

Requirements

Required Books

Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart

Gregory Fremont-Barnes, The Boer War

Denis Judd, The Lion and the Tiger

Raja Rao, Kanthapura

Arthur Waley, The Opium War Through Chinese Eyes

Overview

This class does not attempt to cover fully the vast topic of global encounters. It focuses instead on the last two centuries of the British Empire, which was the largest and most important empire in modern history. At its height in the beginning of the twentieth century, the British Empire encompassed possessions on all six inhabited continents, and accounted for more than one-fifth of the world's land mass and one-fourth of the world's population. It has shaped Britain and much of the world in the modern age. 

The British Empire is a huge and multifaceted subject, and so this course must be selective. It will focus on five key parts of the empire: Britain, India, South Africa, Nigeria and China. Though China was not technically part of the British Empire, it was under British domination for almost a century. This choice of regions offers a broad sample of European interactions with different parts the world, and an opportunity to compare those interactions.

Ultimately, this course is designed to help students accomplish three things. First, to become familiar with important events, people and experiences of the past; second; to assess the complex interactions of historical factors in the shaping of past and present societies; and third, to exercise and strengthen the capacity to formulate and express historical analysis.

Special Needs

If any student needs special consideration of a demonstrated physical or learning disability, please speak to the instructor as soon as possible so that reasonable accommodations can be made.

Class time

The core of this course is class time. There is no way to compensate fully for missed class time. It will take three different forms: lectures, labs and discussions. Labs will involve working with set questions and assigned documents to derive an historical analysis. This will be done both in small groups and individually. Discussions will focus on some of the larger questions raised by our reading, and will be carried on in small groups as well as the entire class. Always bring the relevant textbooks, and print out online documents for use in class.

The Workload

This course is not writing intensive. It is more reading intensive. Students should expect to spend approximately 2 hours preparing for each class (sometimes less, sometimes more). Work for this class follows the American model, namely a number smaller assignments turned in on a regular basis, rather than one big exam at the end. It is important to keep up; the course is not designed for slacking off with the hope of catching up later.

Distractions

Computers will be allowed in the front rows only. Other electronic devices should NOT EVEN BE VISIBLE. Droids, iphones, etc. are a great intellectual and social evil, with the primary effect of making us hopeless social nerds. If interaction with real humans is not entertaining enough for you, then you should go home and rethink your life.

Assignments

Daily Questions

Most days, there is an assigned reading and questions. One of the questions will be starred. This is the one each student is expected to answer, and bring to class in written form. The other questions on the list for that day will be discussed in class. The starred questions will be collected on a random basis and graded on a 10-point scale. The best 7 of 8 collected will count for the grade. You need to be in class to turn in the daily questions. They are not accepted late, and they are not accepted by email. There will be one make-up day late in the semester for those students who have not submitted 8 assignments.

Lab Papers

Two times in the semester, according to a set schedule, each student will be required to type up and turn in a lab report. This is work that you will have begun in a lab session during class time. You will develop an answer to one of the questions into a 2-page (600-word) typed answer. If you miss the day to submit your lab papers and discussion papers, you will submit the next one on the schedule and receive a 2-point deduction.

Discussion Paper

Two times in the semester, according to a set schedule, each student will submit a 2-page (600-word) typed response to a question raised in one of the discussion sessions.

Quizzes

There will be 6 quizzes, the best five of which are worth 10 each points

Exams

There will be two exams. Each will have identifications, short answer questions, and one short essay question.

Extra Credit

Students can earn a point of extra credit for informed contributions to class discussion. Those who wish to complete a third discussion (on Kanthapura) can earn 5 extra points.

Grading

The course will consist of 400 points, divided in the following manner:

Daily Questions:	70 pts [7 x 10]
Quizzes	50 pts [5x10]
Lab Papers:	60 pts [2 x 30 pts]
Discussion Papers:	60 pts [2 x 30 pts]
Exams	160pts [2 x 80 pts]

Grades will be awarded according to the usual scale: 90%= A; 80%=B, etc.