HIST 116: World History II

World History II surveys global civilizations from the 1500s to the present — new political and economic systems, and the development of nations.

What HIST 116 covers

A survey of global civilizations from the 1500s to the present. The aim is to explain the development of new political and economic systems using basic geographical knowledge; describe how human contact, global connections, and migrations contribute to the development of nations and global systems; and compare the development of institutions (social, political, familial, cultural, and religious) to explain their impact on societal transformations.

Focus is on examining what history is and thinking critically about history by analyzing historical approaches and methods.

Typical HIST 116 assignments

Expect an assignment requiring you to explain how a specific political or economic system emerged and shaped the development of a nation or global system.

Key topics in HIST 116

• New political and economic systems
• Development of nations and global systems
• Institutional development since the 1500s
• Historical thinking and methods

Writing tips for HIST 116

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for HIST 116 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Use primary and secondary sources, not just narrative summary

History courses like HIST 116 consistently expect you to locate, evaluate, and cite primary and secondary sources — a well-written narrative summary of events without genuine source engagement is one of the fastest ways to lose points.

Build an argument, not just a chronology

Strong historical writing makes a specific, defensible argument about causes, significance, or interpretation — not just a chronological retelling of events. Evaluators check whether your thesis is actually supported by the evidence you present.

Why students seek help with HIST 116

Students sometimes describe a political/economic development narratively without explaining its causal development the course requires — the rubric typically wants that causal explanation shown, not description alone.

How GradeEssays helps with HIST 116

Share your assignment prompt and rubric, and your writer will build an analysis explaining the causal development of your specific political or economic system.

Prerequisites and course context

HIST 116 has no prerequisites. It satisfies the "100-level HIST course" prerequisite for HIST 289 (Historical Methods).

Related courses