Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   States and Capitalism: the Origins of Western Wealth and Power

 Title Abbreviation:   STATES AND CAPITALISM

 Department:    IS

 Course #:    200

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    450901

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

An examination of the dramatic re-organization of western society between the 15th and 19th centuries, viewed from the perspectives of History, Economics and Political Science.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a "C" or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Social Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
UW IS 200 the same course

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Define modernity and identify its social, political, and economic effects.
  2. Detail the evolution of international capitalism during the 15th - 19th centuries.
  3. Recount the major crises and turning points of the European system up to 1914.
  4. Identify and explain some of the significant forces that drive change in the institutions governing the international system.
  5. Explain the tensions between modern liberal capitalism and alternative approaches to economic and political organization.
  6. Identify and utilize alternative perspectives for analyzing and developing policies regarding the relationship between the modern state and markets.
  7. SOCIAL SCIENCES: Explain the variables that influence the structure of cultures and societies.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. The history and evolution of modern capitalism
  2. Organization of capitalism as an economic system
  3. Ideology of capitalism in both historical and political context
  4. Transformation of capitalism during the Industrial Revolution
  5. Analysis of capitalism in the United States and Western Europe
  6. Critiques of capitalism, such as Socialism and Communism.