| This introductory survey examines the history of Europe from the Scientific Revolution to the collapse of Eastern European communism in the twentieth century. We concentrate on the modern period's most significant events and identify the recurring themes which are most relevant to understanding the contemporary Western Hemisphere. Major topics include patterns of state-building, the impact of new ideas and technologies, the growth of capitalism, and the evolution of modern ethnic and racial identities. Thoughout our study, we focus much of our attention toward understanding the daily lives of ordinary people who experienced the momentous changes of the past few centuries. |
| A major goal of this course is to introduce students to key historical concepts, including the nation state's organization in absolutist, constitutional, fascist, communist, and social-democratic societies. Students will master fundamental historical terminology and establish timetables for crucial events by applying the discipline's methodologies and learning to interpret historical sources for themselves. Much of the course's design is intended to assist students to develop and enhance their ability to read evidence and structure a reasoned essay based on sound research. Ideally, students will complete this course with sound historical knowledge and enhanced analytical reading, thinking and writing skills that will aid in their future academic and professional work. |
| This course consists of lecture and discussion sessions, group activities, and student presentations. Attendance is mandatory, and missed class work must be made up by writing essays in response to missed reading questions, if any, covered in class. Students who arrive after attendance is taken or leave early will be marked absent. Prior to each meeting, read the daily reading assignments and consider the directed reading questions provided. Bring your textbooks, especially the Wiesner text, to class meetings. Participation in class discussions and activities will be graded. Students are encouraged to submit 1-page electronic essay responses to the reading questions at least once a week, prior to class discussion of them, as part of their participation grade. There will be one or more unannounced quizzes at the instructor’s discretion. Students who arrive late to exams or quizzes will not be permitted entrance. Students who miss quizzes or examinations due to lateness or absence will not be permitted to make up these assignments unless they provide a satisfactory written excuse, such as a letter from a doctor or the office of the dean of students. |
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| There will be two midterm exams and a final examination as well as voluntary additional short written assignments and presentations. See the on-line study sheets and reading questions for sample test items. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly-formatted assignments will not be accepted nor will they receive credit. Voluntary work must be completed on the date assigned. All assignments must be e-mailed, or submitted as a typewritten, double-spaced, collated, stapled document at the beginning of class. |
| Week 1 | Introduction | |
| Mon. 1/12 | Introduction to Course |
| Wed. 1/14 | Spielvogel, Chap. 17, pp. 570-588. |
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| Week 2 | The Scientific Revolution | |
| Mon. 1/19 | No meeting. |
| Wed. 1/21 | Spielvogel, Chap. 17, pp. 588-598. Wiesner et al, pp. 52-59. |
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| Week 3 | The Enlightenment | |
| Mon. 1/26 | Spielvogel, Chap. 18, pp. 600-632. |
| Wed. 1/28 | Wiesner et al, pp. 59-71. |
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| Week 4 | Eighteenth-Century State and Society | |
| Mon. 2/2 | Spielvogel, Chap. 19, pp. 634-654. |
| Wed. 2/4 | Spielvogel, Chap. 19, pp. 654-670; Wiesner et al, pp. 82-90. |
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| Week 5 | The French Revolution and Napoleon | |
| Mon. 2/9 | Spielvogel, Chap. 20, pp. 673-697. |
| Wed. 2/11 | Spielvogel, Chap. 20, pp. 697-704. |
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| Week 6 | Midterm Examination | |
| Tues. 2/17 | Wiesner et al, 103-114; Exam Review. |
| Wed. 2/18 | Midterm Examination # 1 |
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| Week 7 | The Industrial Revolution | |
| Mon. 2/23 | Spielvogel, Chap. 21, pp. 706-734. |
| Wed. 2/25 | Wiesner et al, pp. 133-151 |
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| Week 8 | The Era of Revolution and Reaction | |
| Mon. 3/2 | Spielvogel, Chap. 22, pp. 736-753. |
| Wed. 3/4 | Spielvogel, Chap. 22, pp.753-773; Wiesner et al, pp. 169-175. |
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| Week 9 | Spring Break, March 9-14 |
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| Week 10 | The Rise of Mass Culture and Politics | |
| Mon. 3/16 | Spielvogel, Chap. 23, pp. 776-800. |
| Wed. 3/18 | Spielvogel, Chap. 24, pp. 812-843. |
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| Week 11 | Nationalism and Imperialism | |
| Mon. 3/23 | Spielvogel, Chap. 25, pp. 848-852 and 859-868. |
| Wed. 3/25 | Spielvogel, Chap. 25, pp. 868-883; Wiesner et al, pp. 240-247; Exam Review. |
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| Week 12 | World War I | |
| Mon. 3/30 | Midterm Examination # 2 |
| Wed. 4/1 | Spielvogel, Chap. 26, pp. 886-907. |
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| Week 13 | The Bolshevik Revolution and Interwar Era | |
| Mon. 4/6 | Spielvogel, Chap. 26, pp. 907-919. |
| Wed. 4/8 | Spielvogel, Chap. 27, pp. 922-957. |
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| Week 14 | World War II | |
| Mon. 4/13 | Spielvogel, Chap. 28, pp. 960-991. |
| Wed. 4/15 | Wiesner et al, pp. 358-384. |
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| Week 15 | The Cold War | |
| Mon. 4/20 | Spielvogel, Chap. 29, pp. 994-1024. |
| Wed. 4/22 | Wiesner et al, pp. 397-414 and 433-439. |
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| Week 16 | Contemporary Europe | |
| Mon. 4/27 | Spielvogel, Chap. 30, pp. 1026-1062. |
| Wed. 4/29 | Course Review. |