HIST 321 - Communism as Civilization

Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C; Social Justice
Global history of communism. Early utopian socialists; 20th century communist regimes; communist states after “collapse.” Emphasis on new genres of art, distinctive material cultures, daily life, state-society relations, sustainability of social transformation, planned economies/black markets, national/international agendas.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area C requirements.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 with grade C- (CR) or better.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Entirely Online, or Hybrid.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-C - Upper Division Arts or Humanities, Overlay - Social Justice
Course Typically Offered: Spring ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Know basic analytic concepts for interpreting historical evidence relating to communism.
Achieve digital literacy in accessing and presenting information about art forms in communist regimes.
Demonstrate significant knowledge of major events and trends in the history of communism.
Write and speak clearly and persuasively about the global history of communism, and work collaboratively with others to envision solutions to historical problems faced by communist regimes.
Provide original interpretation of assigned sources, and accurately reference all sources in coursework.
Comprehend how differences and similarities among diverse peoples and cultures over time shaped the history of communism, and how communists understood and managed cultural diversity.
ILO on social justice: Understand how communists envisioned and implemented social justice agendas, and the unique problems of radical communist regimes.

UD-C. Upper-division Arts or Humanities Learning Outcomes

demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.

Social Justice Overlay Learning Outcomes

use a disciplinary perspective to analyze issues of social justice and equity;
describe the challenges to achieving social justice; and
identify ways in which individuals and/or groups can contribute to social justice within local communities, nations, or the world.