Time Schedule:
Christopher D Jones
SIS 201
Seattle Campus
Provides a historical understanding of the twentieth century and major global issues today. Focuses on interdisciplinary social science theories, methods, and information relating to global processes and on developing analytical and writing skills to engage complex questions of causation and effects of global events and forces. Recommended: SIS 200. Offered: WSp.
Class description
Introduction to the following historical processes: 1) the creation, expansion and collapse of the international communist system. 2) the collapse of European colonial empires, creation of new states in Africa, Asia, the Middle East. During the Cold War, attempts of these states and Latin American states to build a) a neutral and non-aligned movement and b) a "new international economic order". 3) the Cold War evolution of "neo-liberal" systems in North America, Western Europe and parts of East Asia, with recognition of the enduring differences among these states. Within the global "neo-liberal" coalition, the interaction of a) US-led military security systems; b) international ecomomic regimes and organizations such as the GATT/WTO, IMF, Bretton Woods currency arrangments, the Marshall Plan, the EEC/EC/EEU, NAFTA, APEC; c) the evolution and consolidation of democratic political systems within the neo-liberal zone. Examination of the "new paradigm" for economic development:technology, privatization, globalization.
4) The rapid development of new "neo-liberal" market-democracies in the East Asian "tiger" states during the mid and late Cold War period. 5)The seeming triumph of the "neo-liberal" model for developing nations after the Cold War. Failures of the "neo-liberal" model: ethnic warfare, financial and socio-economic crises, environmental degradation.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Emphasis on critical reading and the writing of interpretive essays. Lectures to survey the reading. Class sections to discuss contending interpretations.
Recommended preparation
Skills in reading and writing.
Class assignments and grading
125-150 pages of reading a week. Most texts are interpretative or analytical; some are controversial.
Written essays. At the discretion of section instructors, participation in class discussions may also be factor. No quizzes, no in-class midterm, no in-class final.
