HST 121: Global History to 1750

Summer I 2025

Course Description:

This course introduces students to global history from the thirteenth century through 1750 by focusing on social, economic, political, intellectual, and religious developments in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. We will explore the Mongols’ conquest across Eurasia, the spread of Islamic empires from Central Asia to the Atlantic, the technological transfers in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean worlds, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and European colonialism.  What types of exchanges were facilitated by maritime trade and trade diasporas? How were human interactions with their environment circumscribed by climate change and disease?  Course themes include empire, disease, environment, slavery, religion, state-formation, and the rise of global trade.  Topics will be covered thematically in general chronological order.

This is an online course. Everything you need to successfully complete this class is available online, on Blackboard. (http://blackboard.syr.edu). You are REQUIRED to purchase the e-textbook. Assignments (quizzes, exams, document questions, links to videos and lectures) are all posted on Blackboard. If you have not used Blackboard before, or have difficulty using it, please take advantage of its help features and online tutorials.

Learning Outcomes:

· Acquire a broad understanding of global historical developments that helped shape the modern world from 1300 to 1750.

· Provide students with a framework of world civilization that lies outside the general narratives of national histories.

· Think critically about historical debates on topics such as religion, imperialism, environmental change, slavery and state-formation.

· Introduce students to the critical analysis of primary and secondary sources.

· Promote awareness of different cultures and countries while helping students relate to unfamiliar people and places, promoting better global citizenship.

There are no prerequisites for the course.

Required Texts

- Buy online access to e-textbook: Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, The World, A Brief World History 

- Any other readings will be posted on Blackboard.

Course Requirements

Quizzes: 25%

There will be 5 weekly quizzes (one every week, except for the week of the final exam). These quizzes will be on textbook material, the course powerpoints and video lectures. Each quiz has 10 multiple choice questions.

Weekly writing activities: 25%

Students will be expected to complete 5 writing assignments (one every week, except for the week of the final exam). Each of these assignments will be different, but will involve some sort of academic or creative writing that will require you to engage with the textbook and primary source material readings. Details will be provided each Sunday by 5pm, at the start of each week. These will be graded on a 10-point grading scale.

· Grades in the “A” range (9-10) are reserved for work that is exceptional, showing original thoughtfulness in dealing responsibly with the course material and combining breadth and specificity appropriately in terms of both argument and evidence.  Additionally, grades in the “A” range apply to work that uses language accurately and effectively (yes, spelling and punctuation matter, as does the “ordering” of ideas).

· Grades in the “B” range (8) apply to work that is distinguished by clarity and individual “sparkle” in engaging the course material in service to appropriate argumentation, even if the layout of analysis, evidence, and interpretation could use more polish.  Again, the use of language matters.

· Grades in the “C” range (7) apply to work that is competent and acceptable (although a “C-” is an indication of marginal competency and acceptability at best) but narrower of scope and responsible originality than work in the “distinctive” grade range of “B.”

· Grades in the “D” and “F” range (5-6) apply to work that is unacceptable and incomplete

0 (zero) grade: applies to work that is not submitted

Film Analysis Project: 25%

25 % of the grade is based on a written project you will complete, based on the a film which you will watch (noted in syllabus calendar). Your project should show that you have watched the film and have understood the main points and storylines of the film. Total points 50. More information about the film project will be distributed on the Sunday of the week of the due-date.

Final Exam: 25%

This exam will include objective and essay sections and will be distributed online during the last week of the course.

Academic Integrity

The Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy holds students accountable for the integrity of the work they submit. Students should be familiar with the Policy and know that it is their responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources in written work. The policy also governs the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments as well as the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verifications of participation in class activities. Serious sanctions can result from academic dishonesty of any sort.  

Please note: plagiarism is considered a major offense and is unacceptable in this course. A failing final grade for the course should be expected.  There is no negotiation possible for a better grade. You are plagiarizing when you use someone else’s words as your own. THIS INCLUDES COPYING AND USING INTERNET SOURCES WITHOUT CITATION. When using someone else’s words, be sure to use the proper quotation and citation methods.  Info on plagiarism can be found at:  http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/content.php?pid=28194&sid=205457 

As a matter of policy, late submission of assignments or examinations is not accepted.  Late quizzes, exams and essays will be deducted a letter grade per day. Be mindful that all assigned written work is necessary for completion of the course.  Please note also that all grades on assignments and examinations are final. Grades are earned; not negotiated.

FINAL GRADES:

As 100-90 (A- 93-90)

Bs 90-80   (B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83)

Cs 80-70   (C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73)

Ds 70-60