Global history for beginners
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: HWH35
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Global history has emerged as a timely companion to the nationally oriented histories promoted around the world for most of the 20th century. Global historians have centred meta-themes such as connections, communities and comparisons. Specific foci such as commodities, religions and regions have also gained popularity. Most recently, energy, climate change, recourse depletion and the Anthropocene have also become topics, reflecting that we are in a new stage of world history. Taking its cues from these trends, this course offers a brief introduction to global history.
As an introduction to studying world history, this course surveys: 1) the world before fossil fuels, 2) the world of fossil fuels and 3) the world facing a future beyond fossil fuels.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- Introduction to World History & the First Civilizations
- The Eurasian Agrarian Empires as the main centres of power
- From Eurasian Agrarian Empires to European Colonial Empires: Connecting the Metropolitan Web, 1450-1850
- Colonial Imperialism, the Industrial Revolution and Capitalism, 1870-1945
- The Cold War and our own moment in world history.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- connect separate parts of your historical knowledge
- describe some of the main developments in the history of humankind from the first civilizations to our moment
- actively reflect on the question of empire and imperialism and their legacies
- identifiy challenges of thinking/doing global history
- connect discussions on current affairs to global history.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is ‘introductory’ and does not require previous studies on the topic. However, curiosity and a willingness to discuss will help both your learning and class discussions. A good grasp of English will also enhance your learning.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be a combination of illustrated teacher presentation, brief collective exercises (maps, quotes, illustrations etc.) and group discussion. The slides will be available to you after each session for note-taking.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No, although a pen and paper may be useful for making notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please explore our history sections for our summer and autumn courses.
Martin Ottovay Jorgensen is a historian by education (BA, MA and PhD in Denmark and Belgium). As a teacher in higher ediucation and further education, he has taught courses on world and global history; African history, Asian history, imperial and colonial history; the history of international organisations; peace and conflict; global issues and international relations as well as how memory is an active dimension in community-building, society, politics, international relations, conflict as well as corporate branding. At City Lit, Martin heads the Department of History, Politics, Philosophy and Sience and teaches across history and politics. He strives to promote history as a socially relevant way of thinking and to give each class and course a horizon beyond itself. Perhaps more importantly, Martin sees the active promotion of robust historical thinking as a democratic practice of vital importance to both the workings of our democracy and the embracing and valuing our multi-cultural and diverse society.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
