- Course Type CLEP
- Subject History and Social Sciences
- Level Introductory
- Length 4 weeks
- Effort 6 hours/week
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
It reviews all of the substantive material that is usually taught in the second semester in Western civilization. Our goal as creators of this course is to prepare you to pass the College Board’s CLEP examination and obtain college credit for free.
Through the guidance of Dr. Robert Clemm, professor of History at Grove City College, this course will cover European history from the mid-seventeenth century through the post-Second World War period, including political, economic, and cultural developments such as scientific thought, the Enlightenment, the French and Industrial Revolutions, and the First and Second World Wars.
“The Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present” is a completely self-paced course. It has no prerequisites and it is offered entirely for free.
Instructors
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Robert Clemm, Ph.D.Grove City College and Southern New Hampshire University
Course Overview
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| Module 1: Absolutism and Constitutionalism 1648-1715 (7% – 9%) 00:35:28 total video length 38 total reading pages |
1.0 Introduction | 0:02:56 | 38 |
| 1.1 Dutch Republic | 0:06:11 | – | |
| 1.2 The English Revolution | 0:09:14 | – | |
| 1.3 France under Louis XIV | 0:06:57 | – | |
| 1.4 Formation of Austria and Prussia | 0:05:52 | – | |
| 1.5 The Westernization of Russia | 0:04:18 | – | |
| Module 2: Competition for Empire and Economic Expansion (4% – 6%) 00:19:44 total video length 72 total reading pages |
2.0 Introduction | 0:01:20 | 72 |
| 2.1 Global Economy of the Eighteenth Century | 0:07:33 | – | |
| 2.2 Europe after Utrecht, 1713-1740 | 0:07:08 | – | |
| 2.3 Demographic Change of the Eighteenth Century | 0:03:43 | – | |
| Module 3: The Scientific View of the World (5% – 7%) 00:25:27 total video length 34 total reading pages |
3.0 Introduction | 0:01:39 | 34 |
| 3.1 Major Figures of the Scientific Revolution | 0:07:22 | – | |
| 3.2 New Knowledge of Man and Society | 0:06:32 | – | |
| 3.3 Political Theory | 0:09:54 | – | |
| Module 4: Period of Enlightenment (7% – 9%) 00:26:38 total video length 34 total reading pages |
4.0 Introduction | 0:02:36 | 34 |
| 4.1 Enlightenment Thought | 0:15:00 | – | |
| 4.2 Enlightened Despotism | 0:05:12 | – | |
| 4.3 Partition of Poland | 0:03:50 | – | |
| Module 5: Revolution and Napoleonic Europe (10% – 13%) 00:43:02 total video length 36 total reading pages |
5.0 Introduction | 0:01:52 | 36 |
| 5.1 The Revolution in France | 0:18:17 | – | |
| 5.2 The Revolution and Europe | 0:08:20 | – | |
| 5.3 The French Empire | 0:11:41 | – | |
| 5.4 Congress of Vienna | 0:02:52 | – | |
| Module 6: The Industrial Revolution (7% – 9%) 00:38:26 total video length 37 total reading pages |
6.0 Introduction | 0:02:53 | 37 |
| 6.1 Agricultural and Industrial Revolution | 0:11:52 | – | |
| 6.2 Causes of the Industrial Revolution | 0:03:54 | – | |
| 6.3 Economic and Social Impact | 0:01:40 | – | |
| 6.3.1 Economic and Social Impact – Middle Class | 0:06:16 | – | |
| 6.3.2 Economic and Social Impact – Working Class | 0:07:05 | – | |
| 6.4 British Reform Movement | 0:04:46 | – | |
| Module 7: Political and Cultural Developments, 1815-1848 (6% – 8%) 00:38:33 total video length 59 total reading pages |
7.0 Introduction | 0:01:50 | 59 |
| 7.1 Conservatism | 0:05:28 | – | |
| 7.2 Liberalism | 0:04:59 | – | |
| 7.3 Nationalism | 0:06:30 | – | |
| 7.4 Socialism | 0:07:25 | – | |
| 7.5 The Revolutions of 1830 and 1848 | 0:12:21 | – | |
| Module 8: Politics and Diplomacy in the Age of Nationalism, 1850-1914 (8% – 10%) 01:07:47 total video length 48 total reading pages |
8.0 Introduction | 0:02:10 | 48 |
| 8.1 The Unification of Italy and Germany | 0:16:07 | – | |
| 8.2 Austria-Hungary | 0:05:25 | – | |
| 8.3 Russia | 0:11:50 | – | |
| 8.4 France | 0:09:08 | – | |
| 8.5 Socialism and Labor Unions | 0:08:30 | – | |
| 8.6 European Diplomacy, 1871-1900 | 0:14:37 | – | |
| Module 9: Economy, Culture and Imperialism, 1850-1914 (7% – 9%) 00:59:08 total video length 48 total reading pages |
9.0 Introduction | 0:02:50 | 48 |
| 9.1 Demography | 0:06:40 | – | |
| 9.2 World Economy of the Nineteenth Century | 0:06:32 | – | |
| 9.2.1 Mercantilism to Capitalism | 0:09:14 | – | |
| 9.3 Technological Developments | 0:09:05 | – | |
| 9.4 Science, Philosophy and the Arts | 0:10:50 | – | |
| 9.5 Imperialism in Africa and Asia | 0:13:57 | – | |
| Module 10: The First World War and the Russian Revolution (10% – 12%) 00:53:59 total video length 13 total reading pages |
10.0 Introduction | 0:02:52 | 13 |
| 10.1 The Causes of the First World War | 0:14:59 | – | |
| 10.2 The Economic and Social Impact of the War | 0:12:43 | – | |
| 10.3 The Peace Settlements | 0:12:16 | – | |
| 10.4 The Revolution of 1917 and its Effects | 0:11:09 | – | |
| Module 11: Europe Between the Wars, The Great Depression (7% – 9%) 00:45:06 total video length 11 total reading pages |
11.0 Introduction | 0:02:41 | 11 |
| 11.1 International Politics, 1919-1939 | 0:10:37 | – | |
| 11.2 Stalin’s Five Year Plans and Purges | 0:08:43 | – | |
| 11.3 Italy and Germany Between the Wars | 0:14:53 | – | |
| 11.4 Interwar Cultural Developments | 0:08:12 | – | |
| Module 12: The Second World War and Contemporary Europe (8% – 10%) 01:09:29 total video length 22 total reading pages |
12.0 Introduction | 0:02:07 | 22 |
| 12.1 The Causes and Course of the Second World War | 0:18:21 | – | |
| 12.2 Postwar Europe | 0:16:23 | – | |
| 12.3 Science, Philosophy, the Arts and Religion | 0:13:09 | – | |
| 12.4 Social and Political Developments | 0:19:29 | – |
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