Navigating World History: Historians Create a Global Past [Paperback]

World history has expanded dramatically in recent years, primarily as a teaching field, and increasingly as a research field. Growing numbers of teachers and Ph.Ds in history are required to teach the subject. They must be current on topics from human evolution to industrial development in Song-dynasty China to today's disease patterns - and then link these disparate topics into a coherent course. Numerous textbooks in print and in preparation summarize the field of world history at an introductory level. But good teaching also requires advanced training for teachers, and access to a stream of new research from scholars trained as world historians. In this book, Patrick Manning provides the first comprehensive overview of the academic field of world history. He reviews patterns of research and debate, and proposes guidelines for study by teachers and by researchers in world history.PART I: THE EVOLUTION OF WORLD HISTORY Defining World History Historical Philosophy, to 1900 Grand Synthesis, 1900-1965 Themes and Analyses, 1965-1990 Organizing a Field, since 1990 Narrating World History PART II: REVOLUTION IN HISTORICAL STUDIES Disciplines Area Studies Global Studies PART III: RESULTS OF RECENT RESEARCH Political and Economic History Social History Technology, Ecology, and Health Cultural History Debating World History PART IV: LOGIC OF ANALYSIS IN WORLD HISTORY Scale in History: Time and Space Modeling Frameworks and Strategies Verifying and Presenting Interpretations Analyzing World History PART V: STUDY AND RESEARCH IN WORLD HISTORY Programs and Priorities in Graduate Education Courses of Study Resources for Graduate Study Researching World History Conclusion: Tasks in World History

Patrick Manning's book is an excellent introduction to a field of historical literature which will grow increasingly important. - Martin A. Klein, University of Toronto