Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 201"
COURSE NAME: "Long-Term History of Globalization"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gene Ogle
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Contemporary discussions of globalization often suffer from a certain short-sightedness. The phenomenon is all-too-frequently treated as a recent creation of twentieth- and twenty-first-century world economies and information networks. Both advocates and critics of globalism too often assume that the history of globalization has been the history of the “westernization” of economic and cultural practices. In this course, we will seek a deeper and longer term understanding of the complex forces and far-from-one-sided cross-cultural interactions that have been “globalizing” our planet since the 14th century A.D. We will begin with a brief survey of the construction and operation of earlier “world-systems” in the Eastern Hemisphere (including the rise of the world of Islamdom and the Mongol world system of the 12th-14th centuries). The remainder of the class will focus on the slow and uneven development of a truly global economy from 1400 forward. We’ll proceed both thematically and chronologically, looking at case studies illustrating various aspects of this process, such as the development of market conventions, ecological exchanges, transport technologies and networks, migration, the varied roles violence has played, and industrialization and deindustrialization.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be two class meetings a week, composed of a combination of lecture, discussion, and student presentations. Most of the discussion portion of class will be spent examining the assigned readings.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
You should develop an understanding of the complex and long-term history of globalization. You should also cultivate an awareness of the varied forces and actors that have played a role in that process as well as the approaches historians and other scholars have developed to analyze and reconstruct this history. You should develop your capacity to critically analyze a range of source materials in an interdisciplinary manner. You should also improve your ability to carry out research and effectively communicate your conclusions orally and in writing.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
The Origins of the Modern World: A Global and Ecological Narrative from the Fifteenth to the Twenty-first Century, 2nd ed.	Robert B. Marks	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers	978-0742554191
The World That Trade Created: Society, Culture, and the World Economy, 1400 to the Present (2nd ed.)	Pomeranz and Topik	M.E. Sharpe	ISBN-13: 978-0765617095
Old World Encounters: Cross-Cultural Contacts and Exchanges in Pre-Modern Times	Jerry H. Bentley	Oxford University Press	978-0195076400
In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler’s Tale	Amitav Ghosh	Vintage	ISBN-13: 978-0765624840

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
3-4 Reaction Papers (1-2 pages each)	In each of the reaction papers (see the course schedule for due dates), you will develop a brief but coherent and well-supported argument regarding the readings for the day on which the paper is due. In these papers, you should not summarize the reading, but rather develop a main thought of your own building on those readings. Ways of developing such arguments include, but are not limited to: critiquing some part of the argument of a secondary source, testing some part of the argument of a secondary source through the analysis of a primary source, comparing and contrasting different readings, or developing a point made by one of the authors more fully and in doing so explaining more of what it may tell us about the subject under discussion. Your grade for these reaction papers will be determined by the strength and focus of your analysis, the persuasiveness of your argument (including quality of writing), and the originality of your thought.	15%
Participation	This course will primarily be run as a seminar in which we discuss the assigned readings. As such, your active participation in our discussions is absolutely necessary to making the course work well. The high percentage of your grade that will be based on your participation reflects that fact. You will be asked to lead class discussion at least twice over the course of the semester as part of this grade. On occasion, additional brief in class or out of class reaction papers may be assigned as components of your participation grade. Please note that behaving in ways that create distractions for other members of the class (including the professor) will lower your participation grade. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to: messaging, checking Facebook or other social networks, catching up on e-mail, watching on-line videos, reading non-class related materials, studying for other courses, shopping on-line, and generally any activity that detracts from your or any other classmate's full participation in what we are doing in the classroom.	15%
Midterm Examination	The midterm exam will be composed of two essay questions I will give you the class before the exam. You will answer one of those questions. The exam will be open book and open notes. Your grade on the exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments, your capacity to discuss the material we cover in the course as a whole, and the factual accuracy of your answers.	20%
Monograph and Article Review	In the monograph and article review (7-10 pages), you will review either 2 scholarly monographs or 1 scholarly monograph and 2 journal articles on a topic related to the history of globalization chosen in consultation with me. Your grade on this assignment will be determined by the strength of your analysis, the persuasiveness of your argument (including quality of writing), and the originality of your thought.	20%
Final Examination	The final exam will be composed of two essay questions I will give you the week before the exam. You will answer one of those questions. The exam will be open book and open notes. Your grade on the exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments, your capacity to discuss the material we cover in the course as a whole, and the factual accuracy of your answers.	30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
See above on participation.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Important Course Policies

All late work will be penalized by at least one letter grade. No late work will be accepted following the final examination.

Any documented case of academic dishonesty on any assignment will result not only in a failing grade for the assignment in question but also in a failing grade for the course as a whole. If you have questions about how to cite material properly, refer to the appropriate sections of the MLA Style Manual or Chicago Manual of Style (or come talk to me during my office hours). There are copies of both in the reference section of the library downstairs. Please note that submitting work that you have previously submitted (or plan to submit) for credit in another course is also a form of academic dishonesty, unless you obtain explicit approval from both instructors to do so. For this course, no such double submission is allowed. Please note that your papers may be submitted to turnitin.com to check their content for plagiarism.

Accessing Shared Documents on MyJCU

     1. Go to the internal web site (MY JCU).
     2. After you have logged in, click on the course post-it for Spring 2014, HS 201. Then click on shared files.
     3. You should then be able to access any course handouts not accessible by clicking the links on this syllabus.
     4. Be sure to check the handouts page frequently for changes and updates. Similarly, I will post messages on the MyJCU board should I need to contact you in between class meetings (e.g., in the case of an unexpected class cancellation).

Accessing J-Stor Readings

While on campus, you should be able to access these readings simply by clicking on the links on the syllabus. On the page that appears, you can find links to download the full article as a PDF file or to print it out. Off-campus you may need to go to the website for the Frohring Library, click on the link for "Databases" and "J-Stor" and then search for the article manually.

Course Schedule (Please note that the following is subject to change.)

Part 1. The Big Picture: A Quick Overview of Globalization and Its History

1/14 First Impressions—What is Globalization? What is its history?

1/16 Conceptualizing the History of Globalization
Chanda, Bound Together, 245-269 (Handout)
Osterhammel and Petersson, Globalization: A Short History, 1-11 (Handout)
Recommended: Chanda, Bound Together, 271-303 (Reserve)

Part 2. Beginnings, or Deglobalizations and Globalizations to c. 1400 C.E.

1/21 and 1/23 Classes Cancelled

1/28 Conceptualizing “Old World” Globalization—Processes and Periods
Bentley, vii-viii, 3-28 (Preface, Ch. 1)

1/30 Culture and Trade on the Ancient Silk Roads
Bentley, 29-66 (Ch. 2)
Recommended: Thorley, “The Silk Trade between China and the Roman Empire,” 71-80
J-Stor URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=00173835%28197104%292%3A18%3A1%3C71%3ATSTBCA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1

2/4 The Spread of World Religions
Bentley, 67-110 (Ch. 3)
Recommended: Foltz, “Judaism and the Silk Route,” 9-16
J-Stor URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-2745%28199811%2932%3A1%3C9%3AJATSR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q

2/6 The Rise and Fall of Nomadic Empires
Bentley, 111-164 (Ch. 4)

2/11 By Land and By Sea: Gunpowder Empires
Bentley, 165-184 (Ch. 5)
Recommended: McNeill, “The Age of Gunpowder Empires,” 103- 139 (in Adas, ed., Islamic and European Expansion (On Reserve))
RXN Paper 1 Due

Part 3. The Modern World, or Deglobalizations and Globalizations from c. 1400 C.E.

2/13 Conceptualizing the History of Globalization Revisited
Marks, 1-21 (Introduction)
Osterhammel and Petersson, Globalization: A Short History, 13-29 (Handout)

2/18 First Globalizations Revisited?: Conquerors, Merchants, and Missionaries to c. 1500
Marks, 21-66 (Ch. 1, 2)

2/20 The Birth of a Modern World Order, Pt. 1: Ships, Germs, and Empires, c. 1500-c. 1800
Marks, 67-94 (Ch. 3)

2/25 The Birth of a Modern World Order, Pt. II: Industrialization, c. 1750-c. 1850
Marks, 95-121 (Ch. 4)

2/27 The Opening of the "Gap": Industry, Imperialism, and Inequality, c. 1800-1900
Marks, 123-154 (Ch. 5)

3/4 A "New" World?: The Twentieth Century
Marks, 155-207 (Ch. 6, Conclusion)
Reaction Paper 2 Due

3/6 Midterm Exam (Note the date has moved)

Part 3. Closer Looks II: Forging Local Links c. 1400 to the Present

3/11 The Rules of the Game: Making Market Conventions
Pomeranz and Topik, ix-xv, 3-40 (Foreward, Introduction, Ch. 1)
Recommended: Gregory, “Cowries and Conquest: Towards a Subalternate Quality Theory of Money,” 195-217
J-Stor URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0010-4175%28199604%2938%3A2%3C195%3ACACTAS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5

3/13 From Here to There and Back Again: Transportation
Pomeranz and Topik, 41-70 (Ch. 2)
Recommended: McNeill, “The Eccentricity of Wheels, or Eurasian Transportation in Historical Perspective,” 1111-1126
J-Stor URL:http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-8762%28198712%2992%3A5%3C1111%3ATEOWOE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B

3/25 Chocolate, Opium, Coffee and Cocaine: Drug Trades and Drug Wars
Pomeranz and Topik, 71-96 (Ch. 3)

3/27 Sobering Thoughts: Drinking Coffee in Early Modern Europe
Schivelbusch, “Coffee and the Protestant Ethic,” 15-84 (Handout)

4/1 Production, Consumption, and Meaning: The Lives of Commodities
Pomeranz and Topik, 97-140 (Ch. 4)

4/3 “Now we see the violence inherent in the system!”: Force and Fortunes
Pomeranz and Topik, 141-174 (Ch. 5)

4/8 Setting Standards: Making Modern Markets
Pomeranz and Topik, 175-214 (Ch. 6)

4/10 Uneven Growth: Industrialization and Deinsdustrialization Revisited
Pomeranz and Topik, 215-254 (Ch. 7)

4/11 Friday Makeup for the Week of Jan. 21, 10:00-12:30, T.1.1.
Global Cultures?: Music
Patterson, "Ecumenical America: Global Culture and the American Cosmos" (Required: 103-112; Recommended: All)
http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/patterson/files/ecumencial.pdf
Film Screening: "The Harder They Come" (1972)

4/15 Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Another Look, Pt. I
Ghosh, 13-105 (Prologue, Lataifa)

4/17 Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Another Look, Pt. II
Ghosh, 109-237 (Nashawy)

4/22 Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Another Look, Pt. III
Ghosh, 241-353 (Mangalore, Going Back, Epilogue)
RXN Paper 3 Due (Please note that this is the last possible day--you may prepare and hand in this reaction paper for the readings for any of the following dates: 4/11, 4/15, 4/17, or 4/22)

4/24 Globalization: Where, when, how, why, and so what?
Pomeranz and Topik, 255-266 (Epilogue)
Monograph and Article Review Due

Final Exam--TBA