Eleanor Roosevelt College

Making of the Modern World

MMW Overview                                                                                                                                 

The core of the Eleanor Roosevelt College (ERC) General Education requirements is the Making of the Modern World Program (MMW) which, like the college, was founded in 1988.  MMW is the academic expression of the official mission of Eleanor Roosevelt College which seeks, in part, “to feature dimensions of international understanding and cultural diversity.”   MMW is an interdisciplinary, six-quarter program which provides a broad, global overview of the past from the dawn of human history and early societies (MMW 1) to social, environmental, economic, and political challenges facing the contemporary world (MMW 6). 


Imbedded in this program and equally important to its general education mission is the writing and analytical instruction that MMW provides, particularly in the six-credit MMW 2 and MMW 3 courses when, in addition to three hours of lecture (by the professor) each week, intensive writing instruction is delivered in two weekly discussion sections (led by a teaching assistant), each meeting for one hour.   MMW 1, 4, 4T, 5, and 6 are four-credit courses, with three hours of lecture and only one hour of weekly discussion section. 

MMW Courses and ERC Requirements

  • MMW 1 (Pre-History and the Birth of Civilization) is offered every Fall Quarter
  • MMW 2 (The Great Classical Traditions) is offered every Winter Quarter and Summer Session
  • MMW 3 (The Medieval Heritage) is offered every Spring Quarter and Summer Session
  • MMW 4 (New Ideas and Clash of Cultures) is offered every Fall Quarter and Summer Session
  • MMW 4T (Understanding the Pre-Modern World) is offered every Fall Quarter (Transfers Only)
  • MMW 5 (Revolution, Industry, Empire) is offered every Winter Quarter and Summer Session
  • MMW 6 (Twentieth Century and Beyond) is offered every Spring Quarter and Summer Session


ERC students entering UCSD as freshmen are required to complete the full MMW sequence (six quarters).  Transfer students, entering UCSD as upperclassmen, are required to take three quarters, a requirement they often satisfy by taking the transfer-specific course, MMW 4T, followed by MMW 5 and MMW 6, though these two courses do not need to be taken in sequential order. Transfer students also have the option to take MMW 1, MMW 4, or the writing intensive courses, MMW 2 and 3.

While it is not recommended, MMW may be taken out of sequence.   However, students entering UCSD as freshmen (in contrast to transfer students entering as upper classmen) may not take MMW 4, 5, or 6, without having completed MMW 2 and/or MMW 3.   If you are in need of a course syllabus, writing assignment information, turnitin.com instructions, or other relevant course information, please see the MMW course website.  

Since MMW is an interdisciplinary program, drawing faculty from many different academic areas (including Anthropology, History, Literature, Political Science, Sociology, and Theatre), most professors in the program have their offices in their home departments and not in the MMW program office.

MMW Abroad (for Students)

MMW 4, 5, and/or 6 are also offered abroad each summer as part of the five-week Global Seminar Programs through UCSD’s Programs Abroad Office (in the International Center). Each Global Seminar is a package of two courses, both taught by a UCSD faculty member who leads the program. Students take an MMW (4, 5, or 6) course and an upper-division class which can count toward fulfillment of your regional specialization as well as provide additional upper-division credit necessary for graduation requirements.  Registration for two UCSD summer courses, lodging, site visits and excursions, and many meals are included. The program does not cover the cost of transportation to and from the global seminar city. Students have plenty of time to continue to explore the city and even visit neighboring areas. Global Seminar locations have included Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul. For details, contact MMW Director Matthew T. Herbst, check the MMW website, or visit the UCSD Programs Abroad Office (International Center) website.

MMW for Parents

The MMW website has information on courses, special programs, and other related matters of interest.  Some MMW professors provide a podcast of their courses, so we encourage you to listen in and share the MMW experience (which you can enjoy without the challenge of exams and research papers).  MMW also offers an annual MMW Mini-Series (or “Short Version”) which is a public lecture series offered in the evenings. Finally, MMW is developing a “global seminar” program for alumni and parents. This is a week-long academic tourism trip scheduled immediately before the MMW student Global Seminar. A UCSD faculty member guides you through historic sites, museums, and other locations abroad, supplementing this with daily talks and lots of food, fun, and free time. If you are interested in this program in Istanbul or Paris, or anything else about MMW, please contact Director Matthew Herbst at mtherbst@ucsd.edu or 858-822-4859. 
 


MMW Office

ERC Administration Building, Suite 202, Plaza Level
Office Hours:  Weekdays 8:30–Noon; 1:00–4:30 p.m.
MMW Main Phone Number:  858-534-4935
MMW Email:  ercmmw@ucsd.edu
MMW Website:  http://roosevelt.ucsd.edu/mmw





MMW Staff and Faculty in the MMW Office

Matthew T. Herbst, Ph.D., Director
Jackie Giordano, Asst. Director/Academic Coordinator MMW 1-3
Heidi Keller-Lapp, Ph.D., Asst. Director/Academic Coordinator MMW 4/4T-6
Edmond Chang, Ph.D., Lecturer
Mollie Martinek, Program Coordinator
Vilaya Roberts, Program Assistant

Family Guide