World History

This article is about the field of historical study known as World History. For the historical events, see History of the world. For a compilation album by Christian rock band Mad at the World, see World History (album).

World history, global history or transnational history (not to be confused with diplomatic or international history) is a field of historical study that emerged as a distinct academic field in the 1980s. It examines history from a global perspective. It is not to be confused with comparative history, which, like world history, deals with the history of multiple cultures and nations, but does not do so on a global scale.

World History looks for common patterns that emerge across all cultures. World historians use a thematic approach, with two major focal points: integration (how processes of world history have drawn people of the world together) and difference (how patterns of world history reveal the diversity of the human experience).

Contents [hide]

1 Establishment of the field

2 History

2.1 Pre-modern

2.2 Early modern

2.3 Contemporary

3 History education

3.1 United States

4 Recent themes

5 World historians

6 Bibliography

6.1 Modern world

7 See also

8 References

9 Further reading

10 External links

Establishment of the field[edit]

The advent of world history as a distinct academic field of study can be traced to 1980s,[1] and was heralded by the creation of the World History Association and graduate programs at a handful of universities. Over the next decades scholarly publications, professional and academic organizations, and graduate programs in world history proliferated. World History has often displaced Western Civilization in the required curriculum of American high schools and universities, and is supported by new textbooks with a world history approach.

Organizations

The H-World discussion list[2] serves as a network of communication among practitioners of world history, with discussions among scholars,...