Brossura

ISBN 10: 0199858985 ISBN 13: 9780199858989

Casa editrice: Oxford University Press, 2011

Patterns of World History offers a distinct framework for understanding the global past through the study of origins, interactions, and adaptations. Authors Peter von Sivers, Charles A. Desnoyers, and George Stow--each specialists in their respective fields--examine the full range of human ingenuity over time and space in a comprehensive, even-handed, and critical fashion.

The book helps students to see and understand patterns through: ORIGINS - INTERACTIONS - ADAPTATIONS

These key features show the O-I-A framework in action:

* Seeing Patterns, a list of key questions at the beginning of each chapter, focuses students on the 3-5 over-arching patterns, which are revisited, considered, and synthesized at the end of the chapter in Thinking Through Patterns.

* Each chapter includes a Patterns Up Close case study that brings into sharp relief the O-I-A pattern using a specific idea or thing that has developed in human history (and helped, in turn, develop human history), like the innovation of the Chinese writing system or religious syncretism in India. Each case study clearly shows how an innovation originated either in one geographical center or independently in several different centers. It demonstrates how, as people in the centers interacted with their neighbors, the neighbors adapted to--and in many cases were transformed by--the idea, object, or event. Adaptations include the entire spectrum of human responses, ranging from outright rejection to creative borrowing and, at times, forced acceptance.

* Concept Maps at the end of each chapter use compelling graphical representations of ideas and information to help students remember and relate the big patterns of the chapter.

About the Author:

Peter von Sivers is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Utah.

Charles A. Desnoyers is an Associate Professor of History at La Salle University

George B. Stow is a Professor of History and the Director of the Graduate Program in History at La Salle University.

Review:

"Patterns of World History is an excellent introduction for students into the vast subject of world history. The text's strength is its use of the overlaying theme of 'patterns.' For students, these patterns help them understand global history in a meaningful way. It gives them tools to understand how societies came about, how they interacted and what caused change in them. For instructors, the text provides an effective and flexible framework for engaging students to read, think, and write about world history--students will be 'seeing patterns'in no time."--Robert Bond, San Diego Mesa College

"Patterns of World History has set a new high benchmark for world history textbooks."--Candace Gregory, Sacramento State University