Major historical developments from the beginning of secular state systems in the 17th century, with emphasis on Europe. Topics include the Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, nationalism, socialism, diplomacy and war. Coverage extends to the declining role of Europe in world affairs since World War II. This semester  provides an introduction to the social, political, cultural, and economic forces that have shaped thought in the Western world from the 17th century to the present. Other major topics will include the origins of the modern sovereign state, and the French Revolution, the social upheavals of the industrial revolution,nationalism, imperialism and the rise of mass politics and the First and Second World Wars. Introduces students to some of the most significant historical figures, including political and religious leaders, scholars, philosophers, artists, and novelists of the Western cultural tradition and enables them to become familiar with some of the most influential texts to come out of the west over the past 400 years. Textbooks: Jackson Spielvogel, Western Civilization: Volume II: Since 1500 (Paperback) # ISBN-10: 0495502871.Ebook available: http://academic.cengage.com/cengage/student.do?totalresults.do?page=null&keyfor=allsite&keyitem=all&keytype=null&resultfor=higheredu&resulttype=instructor&keyword_all=spielvogel&pagefrom=search&disciplinenumber=21&product_isbn=9780495502876&contextelement=http://academic.cengage.com/cengage Additional required readings: Bernard de Fontanelle, Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds, 2008 Tiger of the Stripe, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Communist Manifesto 1847 Signet Classics, Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House, 1879 Dover Publications, Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, 1928 Ballantine Books Victor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning Bean Press, 2006. Capacity limited; register early to ensure a space.