Page 105 - SYU Prospectus

History

HIST 275 The Great World Wars
1 Term; 3 Credits
This second-year elective course attempts a concise overview of the two world wars,
including causes, conduct of war, results and impacts, which differentiated human conflicts in
the first half of the twentieth century from those of previous centuries and which had left crucial
imprints on the shaping of the contemporary world. In addition to key historical events, the
course examines economic factors, political thought, propaganda, mass politics, technological
advances and roles of key figures and their impact on attitudes towards the economics and
conduct of war. It will also survey how the deployment of hi-tech weaponry defined the nature,
scale and devastation caused in modern warfare. The subject is capped with an open forum
on selected issues and themes, including perspectives and considerations of opponents in the
wars, roots of their differences to understand the rise of massive conflicts between nations.

HIST 310 History of Song and Yuan Dynasties
1 Term; 3 Credits
The course covers the histories of Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as those of Liao,
Western Xia and Jin. It aims to introduce to students through lectures the political, military,
social and cultural aspects of their histories. It attempts to show the process of change and the
historical significance of these Chinese dynasties.

HIST 311 History of Ming and Qing Dynasties
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course traces the chronological development of political, social, economic, literary
and intellectual concepts and institutions in these two dynasties. Emphasis is on the impact of
selected major events and changes on the rise and fall of these dynasties including, for
example, Ming despotism and eunuchs, the rise of the Manchu, and the zenith of the Qing
dynasty.

HIST 320 The Contemporary World
1 Term; 3 Credits
This third-year required world history survey course attempts a concise overview of
changes shaping the contemporary world from 1900 to the present, including the transition
from European to American global dominance, opposition and challenges to their supremacy,
and the recent emergence of regional blocs. In addition to key historical events, the course
focuses on factors and forces, particularly perceived interests and advantages as well as
concepts or arguments put forth by opposing camps and blocs, including “new” versus “old”
themes and the assumed continued validity of the latter. The actions of dominant players on
the world stage and the impact and control they levied on world resources will be examined.
The ways in which those on the receiving end were affected by such controls, their reactions
and the consequences will also be studied to reveal the causes of some of the major conflicts
in the world. The course will conclude with an open forum on selected current issues which
have a significant impact on the current world scene, with particular reference to their historical

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