Revised 3/2025

HIS 135 - History of the Contemporary World (3 CR.)

Course Description

Analyzes world developments since World War II. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Surveys the history and culture of the contemporary world since 1945. Students will learn about some of the important political, economic, social, intellectual, cultural and religious changes that have shaped the development of recent world civilization.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Establish a chronology of historical events in the world since 1945.(Addresses general education objectives C and D under information literacy.)
  • Explain the changing geo-political structures of world civilization since 1945. (Addresses general education objective A and E under culture and social understanding.)
  • Define the importance of key individuals and developments in the world since 1945. (Addresses general education objective C and D under information literacy.)
  • Identify the social, economic and political forces at work in the evolution of the contemporary world. (Addresses general education objectives A and E under cultural and social understanding.)
  • Recognize and describe the significance of some of the cultural achievements in the contemporary world since 1945. (Addresses general education objective C under culture and social understanding.)
  • Analyze complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of those materials. (Addresses general education objectives A and B under communication and objective D under critical thinking.)

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Impact of World War II in shaping the history of the contemporary world
  • Cold War
  • Decolonization
  • Emergence of the United States and Soviet Union as world powers
  • Global economic integration and the rise of multinational corporations
  • Pop culture
  • War and revolution is East and Southeast Asia
  • The technology revolution
  • Developments in the world of medicine
  • Role of the United Nations and peace-keeping missions