HIST 109: The World in Conflict - The 20th Century, a History

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D1. History and Political Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

A critical approach to the history of the 20th Century through major events and issues. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Identify the 19th Century developments that set the stage for the World Wars.
  • Analyze how the vacuum of the Cold War gave way to terrorism as a new form of global conflict.
  • Identify the origins of the global issues facing the 21st Century.
  • Explain the origins of World War I.
  • Analyze the Treaty of Versailles and demonstrate its contribution to the renewal of conflict on a global scale.
  • Analyze the context of global depression that gave rise to extreme nationalist movements.
  • Identify the significant events of World War II.
  • Explain the origins of the Cold War.
  • Analyze the context of the Cold War to make sense of the "Hot Spots" of conflict.
  • Analyze the movements for decolonization within the context of the Cold War.
  • Identify the factors that led to cultural, social, political upheaval on a global scale, which culminated in 1968.

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction to the 20th Century (1870-1914)
    1. Forces and Ideas of the 19th Century
      1. Nationalism and Nationalist Movements
      2. Imperialism
      3. Industrialization
    2. Turn of the Century
      1. Changing role of the Masses
      2. Social Movements
      3. Developments in Science, Technology
  2. The World Wars (1914-1945)
    1. World War I
    2. Bolshevik Revolution
    3. Versailles Settlement
    4. Great Depression
    5. Imperialism in Asia
    6. Rise of Nazism
    7. Spanish Civil War
    8. World War II
  3. Cold War and Decolonization (1945-Present)
    1. Origins of the Cold War
    2. Social and Political realignments following World War II
    3. Nationalist Movements
    4. Communist States
    5. "Hot Spots"
      1. Vietnam
      2. Cuba
      3. Israel/Palestine
    6. Struggle of Civil and Human Rights
  4. Collapse of Communism (1975-1990)
    1. Causes of collapse
    2. Consequences
  5. A View into the 21st Century (1990-Present)
    1. Ethnic Fragmentation
    2. Terrorism
    3. Technology
    4. Pollution
    5. Fragile nature of Democracy

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Students will be encouraged to read journal articles and supplemental texts to give a global perspective to the conflicts of the 20th century.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will read Joseph Chamberlain's "Pegging Out Claims for Posterity", Rudyard Kipling's "White Man's Burden", Jules Ferry's Speech to the French National Assembly, and Lenin's "Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism". They will use these primary sources to write an essay explaining the role that imperial ventures played in the outbreak of World War I.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time:
1. Study lecture notes and other matierals presented in class. 2. Answer questions based on readings in textbook 3. Read required supplemental materials and prepare critical reviews of the readings 4. Write essays as an exam method but also as a a critical analysis of supplemental readings. 5. Participate in activities related to course content, such taking an oral history or participating in an event or program with the Veterans Center on campus.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4F. History