Throughout the course, four main themes have been emphasized: Power; Imperialism; Religious Faith; and Ideology. Other themes, such as race, gender, class, demographics, and environment have also been included. Throughout the course, many arguments have been made, but the class has been organized around two central arguments: 1) world history since 1700 has revolved around a continuing struggle for power between social groups, religious groups, nations, and economic interests; 2) Western hegemony in Modern World History may be challenged and interpreted in a number of ways, with two major views (Westernization and Globalization) presently dominating the historiography. The instructor has argued that Westernization has defined the past several centuries of world history, creating cultural contacts, ecological exchange, conflict, conquest, the building of empires, and the globalization of society.