Modern Global History

HST 101 - Global History since 1500

Survey Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia; changes in communication, communities, demography, economics, environment, politics, religion, technology, warfare, and women.

Overview

This course gives an overview of the main events across the globe from 1500 to the present. Rather than an overview of discrete polities and regions this course focuses on the connections and interactions between global powers and the peoples that they represent and/or conquer. The period of globalization that we will review in this course began with Portugal’s efforts to find a sea route to the East. They were soon followed first by the Spanish, and then by the Dutch, French, and English. The imperial exploits of these European powers frame the broader global perspective of the course. This will first take us to the Islamic empires from the Mediterranean to India, then South America, Asia, and Africa before returning to Europe. The final section of the course will cover the two world wars of the twentieth century.

Requirements

To be successful in this course, we recommend English language fluency and computer literacy. We also encourage you to make sure your laptop or desktop computer meets the technical requirements.

What you’ll learn

Analyze the rise, growth, and decline of major states and empires throughout world history
Compare civilizations across regions to understand how geography, culture, and politics shaped societies
Explore how ideas, religions, technologies, and cultural movements influenced historical change
Examine the impact of trade networks on economies, cultures, the environment, and the exchange of knowledge
Understand the role of major religions in shaping governments and political systems
Interpret primary historical sources to uncover perspectives, contexts, and evidence about the past
Evaluate historical evidence to identify patterns of continuity and change over time
Develop historical arguments by synthesizing information from multiple sources

Transcript

This course appears on your transcript identically to how it appears on the transcript of an enrolled ASU student who has taken the course on one of ASU’s campuses. Course attendance dates will be listed on your transcript. An on-demand course will appear on your transcript in the session you complete the course.

This course satisfies 3 credit hours toward the HUAD: Humanities, Arts and Design General Studies requirements for Arizona State University. It is strongly encouraged that you consult with your institution of choice to determine how these credits will be applied to their degree requirements prior to transferring your credit.

Faculty and course staff

Stephen Lazer

Associate Teaching Professor,

School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies

Arizona State University

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Bobbi Doherty

Online Course Manager,

Learning Enterprise

Arizona State University

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Why take ASU Universal Learner Courses

Credit you receive is from a regionally accredited university
Your credit is highly transferable
You only pay the $400 course cost if you pass