About this course: This is a survey of modern history from a global perspective. Part One begins with the political and economic revolutions of the late 1700s and tracks the transformation of the world during the 1800s. Part One concludes as these bewildering changes seem to be running beyond the capacity of older institutions to handle them. Throughout the course we try to grasp what is happening and ask: Why? And the answers often turn on very human choices.
Created by: University of Virginia
Taught by: Philip Zelikow, White Burkett Miller Professor of History
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 7 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish, Romanian |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
From the Traditional to the Modern - Commercial and Military Revolutions (1760-1800)
9 videos
- Video: The Study of History
- Video: The Great Divide
- Video: The Traditional and the Modern
- Video: The Great Divide-Why?
- Video: The World of 1760
- Video: The Commercial Revolution
- Video: The Military Revolution
- Video: Introverts and Extroverts
- Video: The Fates of India and North America
Graded: Week One Quiz
WEEK 2
Democratic Revolutions of the Atlantic World (1760-1800)
7 videos
- Video: The Diffusion of Authority
- Video: Democratic Revolutions
- Video: These United States
- Video: Liberty and Common Sense
- Video: The French Revolution
- Video: The French Republic
- Video: The World's Revolution
Graded: Week Two Quiz
WEEK 3
Revolutionary Wars (1800-1830)
6 videos
- Video: Lucky Americans
- Video: Napoleonic Wars
- Video: The End of Spanish America
- Video: New Republics and Empires in the Americas
- Video: The Tipping Point-India
- Video: The World of 1830
Graded: Week Three Quiz
WEEK 4
The World Transformed (1830-1870)
6 videos
- Video: The Great Divergence-Why?
- Video: Engines, Electricity, Evolution
- Video: Harnessing the New Forces
- Video: The New Situation
- Video: The Islamic World Adapts
- Video: Breaking Open China and Japan
Graded: Week Four Quiz
WEEK 5
The Rise of National Industrial States (1830-1871)
5 videos
- Video: To Build a Nation
- Video: The Global and the Local
- Video: The Zenith of Liberalism
- Video: A Liberal Rainbow
- Video: Enemies of Liberalism
Graded: Week Five Quiz
WEEK 6
The Rise of National Industrial Empires (1871-1900)
5 videos
- Video: The Age of Imperialism
- Video: Tipping Points
- Video: Varieties of Imperialism
- Video: China in the Balance
- Video: The Wave Breaks
Graded: Week Six Quiz
WEEK 7
The Great Acceleration (1890-1910)
8 videos
- Video: The Second Industrial Revolution
- Video: Modern Capitalism
- Video: The Dynamo and the Virgin
- Video: Modern Nation-States
- Video: Revolutionary Nation-States
- Video: Battle Lines
- Video: The Battles Begin
- Video: The Big Picture
Graded: Week Seven Quiz
FAQs
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Creators
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Pricing
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| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Very good course. Amazing teacher and how relates everything so easy and pleasant, thanks
Elegantly composed, clearly articulated, brilliant analysis of modern world history from a primarily political aka "diplomatic history" perspective.
The best Modern World History course. I wish professor had a book on the course written by himself, he explains every event from a number of perspectives, which is absolutely great.
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Wonderful Course. It helped me develop a much better world view and understand issues by thinking about the "why".