This course is an examination of the major political, social, economic, intellectual, diplomatic, and military developments and events of the 20th century. It will employ a chronological approach to several major themes which frame the history of the contemporary world: the decline of European hegemony in the course of two major wars and a world depression; the concomitant challenge to western supremacy from Asia; a half-century of superpower hostility following the outbreak of the cold war; and the transformation of global politics in light of the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War. WOH2040 is a writing credit course. Students must earn a minimum grade of C to meet the requirements of the Gordon Rule for writing. WOH2040 meets the International/Intercultural competency requirement.