During the 15th-16th centuries, with the beginning of the Modern Age, the West rose to a global dominance that lasted for 400 years. The process began with the development of ocean navigation, continued with discoveries around the world and a rapid accumulation of geographical knowledge by Europeans alone, and culminated in establishment of exclusive trading rights, settlements and colonies, and the assertion of a global superiority by the West. The most unfortunate product of this process has been racism.

The course will cover subjects such as developments in shipbuilding, firearms, cartography, and the contributions of Columbus, Vespucci, Vasco de Gama, Hernan Cortes, and Afonso de Albaquerque.