Students will receive an introduction to the course aims, structure and methods of evaluation. World/Global History, a field of historical study that examines history from a global perspective will be discussed. Instructor will divide the class into groups for the Group Presentations and distribute topics for the Diverging Perspectives Assignment.

In this Age of Exploration session, we will examine the groundbreaking voyages of 15th-century navigators such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Zheng He, each of whom left an indelible mark on global history. Alongside their contributions to maritime exploration and the opening of new trade routes, we will discuss the profound and often unintended consequences of their journeys, particularly the Columbian Exchange, which reshaped economies, societies, and ecosystems across continents. The session aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the economic, cultural, and political ramifications of these expeditions, including their role in initiating global trade, colonization, and cultural interchanges. The session will also include a discussion based on a pre-assigned reading.

Has there always been—and is there still today—a "clash" between Islamic and Christian civilizations? This lecture will delve into the Ottoman Empire's relationships with religious minorities as well as its geopolitical and economic rivalry with the Venetian Empire in the Mediterranean. The session will also include a discussion based on a pre-assigned reading.

Why didn't the Chinese discover America? This lecture explores the organizational and cultural influence of Confucian civilization. We will also touch upon developments in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. Additionally, the session will briefly examine the interactions between European missionaries and traders and the peoples and cultures of China and Japan. The lecture will conclude with a discussion based on a pre-assigned reading.

In this lecture we will delve into the complex geopolitics and global impact of the Seven Years War, often regarded as the first global conflict. The war involved all of the major European powers and extended its reach into colonies across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Simultaneously, we will explore the far-reaching dominion of the Spanish Empire, whose territories spanned from Europe to the Americas, Asia, and even Oceania. By juxtaposing the Seven Years War and the Spanish Empire, this lecture aims to shed light on the global interconnectedness of the 18th century, setting the stage for the modern geopolitical landscape. We will also discuss how these historical phenomena shaped global trade, diplomacy, and power dynamics. The session will continue with the Group A presentation.

In session 6, we will explore a transformative period marked by groundbreaking shifts in science, politics, and society. Beginning with the Scientific Revolution, we'll discuss how foundational discoveries in physics, astronomy, and medicine radically changed the way humanity understood the natural world. Then, we'll shift our focus to the wave of political revolutions that swept across America, France, Haiti, and Latin America, setting the stage for the modern world. We'll delve into the ideologies, causes, and lasting impacts of these revolutions, examining how they were both influenced by and served as counterpoints to the Scientific Revolution. This lecture aims to provide an integrated understanding of how revolutions in science and politics were deeply interconnected and collectively shaped the trajectory of human history.

Every student in the class knows how a railroad works because by about 1900 every inhabited continent, and even some of the most remote parts of the world, had railroads. Railroads in Japan, California, South Africa, India, Egypt, the Congo, and elsewhere were all universal symbols of a new, industrial culture. The Industrial Revolution began in Europe, but it quickly created a new global culture that still unites us all, regardless of “race” or “nationality.” The first half of the session is a lecture on the Industrial Revolution – among the most formative processes in human history. This is followed by Group B’s presentation.

What drove the expansive reach of European powers into far-flung territories, and how did indigenous societies react? This lecture delves into the complex and multi-faceted phenomena of imperialism and colonialism, with a specific focus on the 19th and early 20th centuries. We will explore the ideological, economic, and technological factors that facilitated European domination. The session will also examine the concept of 'the White Man's Burden' and the moral justifications made for colonial expansion. Students can expect to gain a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationships between colonizers and the colonized, including both the power dynamics and cultural exchanges that shaped our modern world. The second half of the session will be devoted to the often-overlooked role of the Mughal Empire as a significant actor in colonial-era geopolitics.

What were the social, cultural, and political undercurrents that heralded the end of the 19th century and paved the way for the outbreak of World War I? This lecture takes a close look at the "Fin de Siècle," a period marked by both optimism in human progress and deep anxieties about societal change. We will examine the intellectual and artistic movements of the time, such as Symbolism and Art Nouveau, rising nationalism in Europe as well as the geopolitical tensions stemming from the Scramble for Africa (in the second half of the session with a group presentation). The session will also explore how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand served as a catalyst for unleashing the pent-up conflicts between major powers, culminating in the devastation of WWI.

How did World War I reshape the global landscape and pave the way for seismic shifts in politics and society? This lecture delves into the Great War from a global perspective, examining not only the Western Front but also its far-reaching implications in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Students will learn about the collapse of empires—such as the Ottoman, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian—and how these voids led to the reshaping of national borders and fueled decolonization movements. The lecture will also focus on the Bolshevik Revolution and its global ramifications, including the ideological divisions that it instigated. By examining the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations, and other aftermaths, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how WWI set the stage for the 20th century.

This lecture delves into the tumultuous years between the two World Wars, with a focus on the rise of fascism as a transnational phenomenon. We will explore how fascist movements emerged not just in Europe but also in other parts of the world, examining their similarities and differences. The session will also scrutinize how the socio-political climate of the interwar years facilitated the spread of fascist ideologies, and what implications this had for global politics. We will also discuss the role of various fascist regimes in shaping international relations during this period.

This lecture takes an in-depth look at World War II. We will explore how the entry of the United States and the Soviet Union into the war in 1941 fundamentally altered its trajectory. In addition to the strategic and political shifts, the lecture will shed light on the racial dimensions of the war. The “fascists” were not the only racists. The lecture recounts the often-untold story of race in World War II, and the “good guys” and “bad guys” become harder to distinguish. There will be a discussion over the reading assignment.

This lecture delves into the intricacies of the post-World War II era, focusing on the dual phenomena of decolonization and the onset of the Cold War. We will examine how the struggle for independence in colonized nations often intersected with Cold War geopolitics, as both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to influence newly independent states. The session will explore case studies of key regions and events, such as the Suez Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Cuban Revolution, to illustrate the complexities of this period. In understanding these dynamics, the lecture aims to provide a nuanced view of how the global power structure evolved in the wake of World War II, affecting nations and peoples around the world.

In this concluding lecture, we will explore the forces, movements, and events that have contributed to making the world more interconnected than ever before. We will discuss the rise of global institutions, the impact of technology, and the spread of cultural, economic, and political practices around the world. As we review the course, we will revisit key themes, reflecting on how historical events from 16th to 20th Century have laid the groundwork for today's globalized world.