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Western Civilization II

CIV102 | 3 Credits

Western Civilization II will give you a comprehensive overview of concepts, people, and events that shaped Western culture from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries. We’ll cover Enlightenment-era philosophies and the effects of the Industrial Revolution on Western society.

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About Western Civilization II

What You’ll Learn

Get a comprehensive overview of concepts, people, and events that shaped Western culture from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries.

  • Identify key moments in the development of Western society since the Scientific Revolution.
  • Describe the social, economic, and political impact of the Enlightenment on society and science.
  • Analyze original historical materials.
  • Interpret primary sources within their appropriate historical context.
  • Organize historical events into chronological order.
  • Justify your thinking with well-organized and well-supported thoughts.
  • Compare and contrast early modern Western societies.
  • Examine the secularization of religious authority to develop a deeper understanding of the political underpinnings of the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras.
  • Explain how fascism impacted society and politics in the 20th and 21st centuries.
  • Consider how historical events shaped our current moment.

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Course Details

CIV102
Western Civilization II
3 Credits

Beginning with the Scientific Revolution, this course walks you through major developments of the early modern era to the present, including various revolutions, moments of key reform, and global wars. Western Civilization II is a broad overview of key events, people, and ideas that shaped Western society as we know it today. You will explore these topics through readings, videos, and direct engagement with primary sources.

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OOSL-0043

Flexible Schedule

21-day Average Course Completion

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Prerequisites

While there are no prerequisites to take Western Civilization II, it is recommended that students complete Western Civilization I before enrolling in Western Civilization II.

Course Text 

The required eTextbooks for this course are included with your course purchase at no additional cost.

  • Sherman, Dennis and Salisbury, Joyce. The West in the World, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2014, ISBN: 9780073407036
  • Wilson, Julianna. Western Civilization I, Achieving the Dream, 2020
  • Wilson, Julianna. Western Civilization II, Achieving the Dream, 2020

Course Checkpoints

The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, 1600–1800

  • Nation Building and the Wars for Domination
  • The Slave Trade
  • Culture of the New Age

The Old Regime, 1715–1789

  • Origins of the Enlightenment
  • Enlightenment Thinkers and Concepts
  • The Ongoing Effect of the Scientific Revolution

The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815

  • Origins of the French Revolution
  • The First French Revolution
  • The Second French Revolution
  • The Legacy of the Revolution
  • The Rise of Napoleon

The Industrial Revolution, 1780–1850

  • England's Booming Industry
  • Impact of the Industrial Revolution
  • Emergence of Nationalism

Ideology, Politics, and Revolution, 1815–1850

  • Establishing Order in Europe
  • Competing Ideologies
  • Revolution and Reformation

Unifying Nations, 1850–1870

  • The Revolutions of 1848
  • Unification of Italy
  • Unification of Germany
  • Movements for Unification in North America

Democracy and the New Imperialism, 1870–1914

  • World Democracy
  • Responses to Democratic Reform
  • The New Imperialism

Western Society, 1850–1914

  • The Urban Industrial Order
  • The Emergence of Popular Culture
  • New Intellectual Trends

World War and Revolution, 1914–1920

  • The Road to Total War
  • The War to End All Wars
  • Resolution and Peace

Recovery, Dictators, and Depression, 1920–1939

  • Postwar Struggles
  • The Rise of Fascism
  • Nazi Germany

World War II, 1939–1945

  • The Path to War
  • Early Battles and the Holocaust
  • A World United, A World at War

The Cold War

  • Postwar Boom
  • Capitalism and Communism
  • Conflict with the Soviet Union

The Cold War and Decolonization

  • The Cold War
  • Decolonization

The Present in Perspective

  • The Fall of Communism
  • The Global Village

Assignments & Grading 

Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

Assignments for this course include:

  • 3 Reflective Responses
  • 2 Assignments
  • 3 Mastery Checks

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  • Basic computer skills
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Moving Forward with A Career in Culture

Western Civilization II builds on the foundation you established in Western Civilization I, taking you from the eighteenth century through the twenty-first century. This course explores everything from Enlightenment philosophies to the Industrial Revolution and shows how they shaped modern Western society. By connecting historical developments to the present, you’ll develop the critical thinking and research skills that employers value.

Why it matters:

  • Students save an average of 90% per course on general education courses with StraighterLine.
  • Historians earned a higher median wage than average at $74,050 in 2024.

How this course sets you up for success:

UX Researcher, Cultural Resource Manager, Public Health Analyst, Forensic Anthropologist, International Development Specialist, Corporate Anthropologist, Human Rights Advocate, Museum Curator, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Environmental Impact Analyst

How this course sets you up for success:

Think critically and engage with the global challenges with a foundation in Western Civilization.

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