New World History I and II Course Descriptions

On March 6, the department voted to approve the following descriptions for the new World History I and World History II courses.  The descriptions took into consideration the feedback that was provided by faculty on the ANGEL Discipline Review Discussion Board, through emails to my attention, or through casual conversations in the hallways on campus. Many thanks to faculty who took the time to participate in this process.  I will bring the descriptions to the March Liberal Studies Division meeting for approval, and will inform the department of any changes should they be necessary.

World History I

An examination of the major themes and their legacies in world history from its origins until the era of global interaction.  Attention will be focused on a comparative analysis of various world societies.  Fulfills open, liberal arts, social science, and with HIS132, history sequence electives. 

 World History II

An examination of the major themes and their legacies in world history since the era of global interaction.  Attention will be focused on a comparative analysis of various world societies.  Fulfills open, liberal arts, social science, and with HIS131, history sequence electives.    

Western Civilization Update/Title Changes to World Civilization

At the December 6 department meeting two important proposals were passed.  After intense deliberation that has taken place since September, and after consulting adjunct faculty through the ANGEL Discipline Review Discussion Board and polling data collected on this blog, the department voted to discontinue offering the History of Western Civilization I and II.  In addition, it was voted that the History of World Civilization I and the History of World Civilization II now be called World History I and World History II.

Please bear in mind that these changes will take time to implement.  In the case of Western Civilization, students who are taking this sequence will be informed that the department is phasing it out and that they will need to complete it within a set amount of time (I will consider the timeline in consultation with Liberal Studies Division Dean Maureen O'Neill).   I will need to present the title changes to the Liberal Studies Division and then to the Curriculum Committee.  I do not know when this particular change will appear in the college catalog and in the schedule.  I will keep everyone posted.

Many thanks to the full-time and adjunct faculty members who have assisted the Discipline Review team in making these two important decisions that will impact the department significantly.  

In regards to the Discipline Review Survey, I will email the results once the Discipline Review team has had the time to digest them, most likely after the beginning of the spring semester.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions @ LDAVIS@northshore.edu.

Discipline Review Polls

Hello colleagues,

As part of the Discipline Review process, department faculty recently completed a survey regarding how World Civilization is delivered to our students. Survey questions asked faculty to consider how they approach teaching and assessment. I am pleased to report that 71% of faculty responded. I will disseminate the results of the survey once I am able to review them.

Another part of the Discipline Review process has to do with two issues: first, should the the department discontinue the Western Civilization sequence in favor of a strictly World Civilization sequence?  The second has to do with whether the department wishes to continue offering "World Civilization" or to change to title to "World History."

The department and Discipline Review team has discussed these two issues and the minutes from the October and November meetings reflect these conversations.

Please take a moment to complete the polls below. Results will be taken into consideration by the Discipline Review team at the December meeting.  You may answer the polls even if you do not teach World or Western Civilization.

Thank you very much for your participation in this process.

Larry Davis

Poll: Should "World Civilization" be Changed to "World History?"

Poll: Should Western Civilization Sequence be Discontinued?