History of Modern Europe (330-01-1)
MWF 11:05-11:55am (room H003); 3 credits
Instructor: Dr. John C. Horgan
Office: LU217
Phone: 243-4515; jhorgan@cuw.edu
Office hours: MWF 12-1pm
Text
Briggs, Asa and Patricia Clavin, Modern Europe, 1789-Present
Course Overview
The study of modern European history makes good sense. Regardless of our place of origin---or that of our ancestors---we are all part European in our social behavior and our thought patterns. Many of the ideals, institutions, and problems that comprise our contemporary life were initially generated in Europe. Capitalism and communism, the stock market and the morning newspaper, soccer and golf, the department store and the two world wars---all were products of modern Europe. To know something of Europe's history during the last two hundred years is, therefore, to know something of our world today. This course will examine some of the major topics of European history that have most shaped and influenced Europe and the world.
Objectives
As a result of taking this course, the student:
A. understands that history must be studied in perspective---time, space, dimension, cause and effect---to be adequately understood.
B. becomes familiar with some of the main interpretations of the institutional development of European civilization.
C. develops an understanding of the conflicts and tensions among the various cultures and institutions of European civilization.
D. is aware of the fact that movements and developments of history are always part of a global situation.
E. develops a critical attitude to the developments and institutions of modern Europe.
F. has begun to develop the skill of analyzing historical perspective.
Student & Classroom Expectations
* You will attend every class, be fully prepared and give your full attention to the material.
* You will dress, speak and conduct yourself in an appropriate manner.
* You will agree to do the work outlined on the syllabus on time.
* You will, on all assignments and exams, demonstrate a mastery of the material.
* You will acknowledge that previous academic preparation (e.g. writing skills) will affect your performance in this course.
* You will acknowledge that your perception of effort, by itself, is not enough to justify a distinguished grade.
* You will fulfill all required assignments in order to be considered for a passing grade.
* You will not plagiarize or otherwise steal the work of others.
* You will not make excuses for your failure to do what you ought.
* You will accept the consequences of your actions.
Plagiarism Policy
The deliberate and intentional use and/or misuse of other's ideas or words without proper citation and/or credit is unacceptable. If a student is caught plagiarizing, the student will receive a failing grade on the assignment and immediate dismissal from the course. All appropriate documentation will be submitted to the Office of the Academic Vice President for further review and disciplinary action.
Writing Center [http://www.cuw.edu/Academics/programs/history/writing_center.html]
All students are required to access, learn and apply the information on these web pages. Included are formats for bibliography and footnotes, common writing errors and omissions, paper evaluation guidelines and the department's official policy on plagiarism.
Students with Disabilities
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability and will need accommodations to access the course content of this class, please inform me as soon as possible and contact the Learning Resource Center in LU202.
Attendance
Students are responsible for attending all scheduled classes and completing all course requirements. Seven absences will result in the student's withdrawal from the course. Since the instructor will present material not found within the textbook, and since a portion of the final grade will be based on class participation, regular attendance is expected of all students.
Setting the Scene
The instructor will deliver a series of lectures throughout the semester related to the assigned textbook chapters and/or primary source modules. These lectures will provide a more detailed narrative or interpretation of those topics. In addition, videos will be shown to supplement both the reading and lectures.
Textbook Chapter Presentations
Each student will be assigned a chapter (or portion of a chapter) to present to the class in a 5-7 minute presentation. The student should identify those 5 most important points raised in the chapter to highlight and discuss. All other students may simply identify the 5 most important points as well as 3 questions raised by the chapter's content. After the short presentation, the presenter will field 1-2 questions from the rest of the students. See the semester calendar for appropriate due dates.
Web Modules http://www.cuw.edu/Academics/programs/history/courses/history_330/modules.html
On the CUW History Department Web site are 8 web modules dealing with both broad and special topics in modern European history. Each module contains an activity (rreading primary source documents, journal articles or vieiwng a documentary/movie) and a short essay assignment. Answers to the assignments must be in essay form and 2 pages in length. Students will be expected to form a thesis and argument in response to each assignment and follow proper citation format for citing evidence. The class will hold a discussion about the modules on the due date. See the semester calendar for due dates of each module.
Exams
There will be a mid-term and final exam. The exams will be essay in nature. In responding to the exam question, it will be expected that the student's answer will reflect information provided by the instructor in lecture, from the videos, the textbook chapters and the web modules material. See the semester calendar for the schedule of the exams.
Grading Policy
The final grade will be determined as follows: textbook chapter assignments; web module exercises; textbook chapter presentation; mid-term & final exam; and class participation. Each assignment is given equal weight in determining the final grade.
Semester Calendar
Aug. 27 Introduction
Aug. 29 French Revolution [Briggs, 1-23]
Aug. 31 French Revolution
Sept. 3 LABOR DAY; no class
Sept. 5 French Revolution web module
Sept. 7 Napoleon [Briggs, 24-38]
Sept. 10 Napoleon
Sept. 12 Napoleon web module
Sept. 14 Congress System & 1830 Revolutions [Briggs, 39-57]
Sept. 17 1848 Revolutions [Briggs, 58-77]
Sept. 19 Nationalism: Italian Unification [Briggs, 77-97]
Sept. 21 Nationalism: German Unification [Briggs, 98-114]
Sept. 24 Prelude to War: Imperialism [Briggs, 115-130]
Sept. 26 European Expansion web module
Sept. 28 Prelude to War: Industrialization [Briggs, 130-143]
Oct. 1 Industrialization web module
Oct. 3 Fin de siecle [Briggs, 144-167]
Oct. 5 World War I [Briggs, 168-215]
Oct. 8 World War I web module
Oct. 10 World War I web module
Oct. 12 World War I web module; Mid-term exam
Oct. 15 New order? [Briggs, 215-234]
Oct. 17 Great Depression [Briggs, 235-252]
Oct. 19 Great Depression web module
Oct. 22 Totalitarianism [Briggs, 252-261]
Oct. 24 Totalitarianism
Oct. 26 FALL BREAK; no class
Oct. 29 World War II [Briggs, 262-303]
Oct. 31 World War II
Nov. 2 Holocaust [Briggs, 292-293]
Nov. 5 Holocaust web module
Nov. 7 Holocaust web module
Nov. 9 Holocaust web module
Nov. 12 Cold War [Briggs, 304-332]
Nov. 14 Cold War
Nov. 16 Cold War legacy: nuclear weapons
Nov. 19 Post-War Europe [Briggs, 333-350]
Nov. 21 Post-War Europe
Nov. 23 THANKSGIVING; no class
Nov. 26 European Unification [Briggs, 350-372]
Nov. 28 European Unification
Nov. 30 Collapse of USSR [Briggs, 372-380]
Dec. 3 Europe Today [Briggs, 380-393]
Dec. 5 Europe Today [Briggs, 394-411]
Dec. 7 Europe Integration web module
Dec. 10-14 FINAL EXAM (TBA)
