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The Modern World, Part Two

Global History since 1910

This is a survey of modern history from a global perspective. Part Two begins early in the twentieth century, as older ways of doing things and habits of thought give way. What follows is an era of cataclysmic struggles over what ideas and institutions will take their place. The course concludes in the present day, as communities everywhere are transitioning into a new era of world history. Again we work hard to grasp what is happening and ask: Why? Again we are drawn to pivotal choices made at key moments by individuals and communities.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Crackup (1905-1917)

New Orders Emerge (1917-1930)

The Crisis of the World (1930-1940)

Total War and Aftermath (1940-1950)

The Return of Wartime (1950-1968)

Decay and Renaissance (1968-1991)

The Next Phase (1991-2013)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of modern history's major turning points and their lasting impact

Taught by Philip Zelikow, recognized for their work in international relations and history

Uses a global perspective to provide a comprehensive overview of modern history

Examines historical events from various angles, emphasizing pivotal moments and their significance

Requires students to actively engage with the material and critically assess historical sources

May not be suitable for students with no prior knowledge of global history

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Reviews summary

Analytically global

Students say this engaging, informative online course from the University of Virginia is well received and offers a deep dive into global history since 1910. According to students, the course covers key features such as lectures, readings, exams, and quizzes, and is taught by a passionate, knowledgeable professor named Philip Zelikow. Many students highlight the analytical approach of the course, which encourages learners to consider the choices made by historical figures and the impact of those decisions on the world.

Emphasizes the significance of choices made by historical figures and encourages students to analyze the impact of those decisions.

"The second half of the best MOOC I've taken. While most history is traditionally taught using a narrow silo-like approach, this course explains the relationship between what was happening in different parts of the world at the same time."

"The videos were all carefully thought through and presented in a clear, compelling manner. It was manifest that the instructor was totally engaged with the material, Professor has a charming manner,It was a really good experience for me."

"I very much enjoyed the course despite its rapid pace and breath and scope of subject matter."

Features a passionate and knowledgeable professor who delivers content in an engaging manner.

"Professor Phillip Zelikow was sensational and if I lived in Charlottesville (where the University of Virginia is) I'd try to be his friend."

"Professor was amazing! I had no idea lacking I was in so much of what he covered in this course. I learned a great deal and enjoyed doing so. I wish he taught more free online courses."

"The Professor is an outstanding teacher. He made the lectures quite endearing and interesting. An amazingly enlightening class, I must confess."

Provides a comprehensive view of global events since 1910, going beyond the United States and Europe to examine key developments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

"It really takes you on a journey to learn about different geopolitical issues around the world."

"This course is very fun and useful. It helps to develop an idea of the integrity of the picture of world history of the XXth century."

"I loved the energy and passion and curiousity of Prof Zelikman. Really good course moving through the major events of the last 100 years. It really helps to get a sense of context and feel that the difficulties we face today are not unique to human history."

Delivers a wealth of information on global history, exploring key events and their significance.

"This set of two courses is basically what we should be teaching in schools. Schools often miss out modern history and especially overarching themes in history. I loved these two courses and the effort put into making them"

"By the time I completed this course (2014) , it was a full 14 weeks long session from 1760 to 2013 . The 2nd part helped me clarify the 1930's . A period among the hardest to understand . Too bad the Facebook Group is stone dead ."

"I have completed 1 & 2 an found both the content and the lecturer engaging. In particular, Part 2, where I had missed details in world events due to being so busy working and raising a family. The course filled in the missing pieces!"

While overall sentiment is positive, some students express dissatisfaction with the course's length, lack of detail, and perceived bias towards the United States.

"The course though aims to give comprehensive overlook of key and major events it appears slightly tilted towards USA. It was great learning, this will help me understand the world developments better. History is inspiring. Thank you!"

"The course is a journey during the contemporary history of the century 20, with a ayudas like vídeo expeditos , maps of the places highlighted in the history, that changed the course of this. Very enriching lo disfrute muchísimo."

"The content of this course is excellent, and the instructor is clearly highly qualified. The only reason I am giving the course a rating of 4 and not a 5 is because the lectures are far too lengthy."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910 with these activities:

Practice identifying the key terms and concepts of the course

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This activity will help you develop your understanding of the key terms and concepts of the course. This will help you succeed in the course as you will be able to more easily follow the lectures and readings.

Browse courses on 20th Century History

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Review the key terms and concepts of the course.
Take a practice quiz.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you are confident in your understanding of the key terms and concepts.

Watch a documentary about a topic related to the course

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This activity will help you develop your understanding of a topic related to the course. This will help you succeed in the course as you will be able to more easily follow the lectures and readings.

Browse courses on 20th Century History

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Choose a documentary about a topic related to the course.
Watch the documentary.
Take notes on the key points of the documentary.

Review your notes from previous courses on related topics

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This activity will help you refresh your knowledge of related topics. This will help you succeed in the course as you will be able to more easily follow the lectures and readings.

Browse courses on 20th Century History

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Gather your notes from previous courses on related topics.
Review your notes.
Take practice quizzes on the material.

Five other activities

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Review 'The Outbreak of World War I' by Stevenson

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Reading this book will help you develop a strong foundational understanding of the causes and consequences of the outbreak of World War I. This will help you succeed in the course as we discuss the period of 1917-1930.

View Cataclysm: The First World War as Political... on Amazon

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Read the book in its entirety.
Take notes on the key points of each chapter.
Write a short summary of the book.

Make a map of the world showing the major empires and their colonies in 1914

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This activity will help you visualize the global political landscape at the outbreak of World War I. This will help you succeed in the course as we discuss the causes and consequences of World War I.

Browse courses on World War I

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Gather information about the major empires and their colonies in 1914.
Create a map of the world.
Label the empires and their colonies on the map.

Create a timeline of the 20th century

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This activity will help you visualize the key events of the 20th century and understand how they are connected. This will help you succeed in the course as we discuss the major themes and events of the 20th century.

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Gather information about the major events of the 20th century.
Organize the events chronologically.
Create a visual representation of the timeline.

Write a blog post about a topic related to the course

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This activity will help you develop your writing skills and your understanding of the course material. This will help you succeed in the course as you will be able to articulate your thoughts and ideas more clearly.

Browse courses on 20th Century History

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Choose a topic related to the course.
Research the topic.
Write a blog post that is well-written and informative.

Attend a lecture or conference related to the course

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This activity will help you connect with other people who are interested in the same topic. This will help you succeed in the course as you will be able to learn from others and get different perspectives on the material.

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Find a lecture or conference related to the course.
Attend the lecture or conference.
Network with other people who are interested in the same topic.

Career center

Learners who complete The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

As a Historian, you will conduct research and write about the past. You will analyze historical events and interpret their significance. You will also teach history and help people to understand the past. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Historian. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. This course could also be helpful in the field of museum studies or archival science if you are interested in pursuing this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Journalist

As a Journalist, you will report on current events and write articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. You will research stories, interview people, and write and edit articles. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Journalist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills. It will also help you to understand the role of the media in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Diplomat

As a Diplomat, you will represent your country in international affairs. You will work in embassies and consulates, and you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including negotiating treaties and agreements, promoting trade, and protecting your country's interests. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Diplomat. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diplomat

Foreign Service Officer

As a Foreign Service Officer, you will represent the United States abroad. You will work in embassies and consulates, and you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including political reporting, economic analysis, and public diplomacy. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Foreign Service Officer. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Service Officer

Geographer

As a Geographer, you will study the Earth and its physical features. You will research different regions of the world, analyze geographical data, and develop theories about how the Earth works. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Geographer. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Lawyer

As a Lawyer, you will advise clients on legal issues, represent them in court, and draft legal documents. You will need to have a strong understanding of the law, as well as excellent critical thinking and analytical skills. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Lawyer. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Sociologist

As a Sociologist, you will study society and how it works. You will research social trends, analyze social data, and develop theories about how society works. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Sociologist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Political Scientist

As a Political Scientist, you will study politics and government. You will research political systems, analyze political behavior, and develop theories about how politics works. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Political Scientist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Anthropologist

As an Anthropologist, you will study human culture and society. You will research different cultures, analyze cultural data, and develop theories about how culture works. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Anthropologist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skill.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist

Economist

As an Economist, you will study the economy and how it works. You will research economic trends, analyze economic data, and develop theories about how to improve the economy. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Economist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Archaeologist

As an Archaeologist, you will study the past by excavating and analyzing artifacts. You will research different archaeological sites, analyze archaeological data, and develop theories about how past cultures lived. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Archaeologist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Librarian

As a Librarian, you will be responsible for the care and preservation of library collections. You will research library collections, develop library programs, and work with the public. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Librarian. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Museum Educator

As a Museum Educator, you will be responsible for developing and delivering educational programs at museums. You will research museum collections, develop educational programs, and work with the public. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Museum Educator. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Archivist

As an Archivist, you will be responsible for the care and preservation of historical documents. You will research historical documents, develop archival programs, and work with the public. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Archivist. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Curator

As a Curator, you will be responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. You will research museum collections, develop educational programs, and work with the public. This course can help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Curator. It will provide you with a strong foundation in modern history, and it will help you to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curator

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910:

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Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910.

Inside the Nazi Mind

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Provides a detailed and harrowing account of the Holocaust, examining its origins, implementation, and aftermath.

The Modern World, Part Two

Global History since 1910

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Analytically global

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

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