Contemporary World

Course Description

This course explores the historical background behind major issues of the contemporary world, including: colonialism/decolonization; the Cold War and other global conflicts; genocide; religious fundamentalism; and the role of women. Prerequisite: Must have fewer than 60 credits to enroll or can enroll by Written Permission

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

General Education Council Course MAC Foundations Competency

  • Develop academic skills in order to demonstrate the ability to identify and use campus services and resources.
  • Develop goals and plans related to personal purpose, interests, or values between self and community.
  • Build connections between self and community relationships with peers, faculty, and staff (e.g., UNCG, college/student/department, special interest group, social/leadership/service initiative).
  • Critically evaluate information and media sources in a variety of formats.
  • Incorporate and cite sources accurately and correctly.

Course SLOs

  • Comprehend that history is not the memorization of dates and facts, but rather the interpretation of the past.
  • Analyze historical duration, succession, and change in terms of human agency and larger systems or structures in a wide variety of places and periods.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Participation 55%
Midterm Exam 15%
Final Exam 30%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
93-99%A
83-86%B
73-76%C
63-66%D
90-92%A-
80-82%B-
70-72%C-
60-62%D-
87-89%B+
77-79%C+
67-69%D+
59% and belowF

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance/participation is not a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Required Film: “Paradise Now” (2005; dir. by Hany Abu-Asad)
  • Required Book: Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns (New York: Riverhead Trade, 2008)

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.