History 102 (sec. 2)

The Making of the Modern Western World, 1750 to Present

Fall 2007

CRN: 42118 (5.0 units)

Class meets Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 11:00 am-12:25 pm in MUS-112

 

Instructor: Dr. Mark Baker

Office: 304D Faculty Towers

tel: (661) 654-6833

email: mbaker2@csub.edu

I am most easily accessible via email, but phone is fine too.

Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9:45-10:45 am

Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 pm

and by appointment

Course Description:

The CSUB Calendar describes this course as an introduction to the major historical events in Western culture, which contributed to the shaping of the modern world. This is an ambitious task. We are going to attempt to survey the basic events and processes of the rise of what is called the Modern, Western World (sometimes Western Civilization). More books have been written on this subject than most of us could read in a lifetime. In the short amount of time that we have been allotted we can and will only attempt to grasp the most basic outlines. We will try to figure out how this world came to be, and how it came to dominate the rest of the world economically, politically, ideologically and (some would argue) even culturally. In addition to employing secondary sources, I will strive to give you all exposure to some of the more important historical documents of this period. Time is limited; we are already in a hurry, so please keep up with the readings and come prepared to discuss them in class.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course students will (hopefully) be able:

  1. To identify and define the most important events, people, and processes of the transformation of the Western World over the last 250 years.
  2. To evaluate historical documents critically and to describe how they might be used in understanding and writing history.
  3. To think more critically about history, how it is constructed, written, and interpreted.

 

Required Reading:

  • Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey, Western Civilizations 15th ed., Volume C: Since 1789 (New York: W.W. Norton, 2005).  ISBN: 0393926990
  • Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, trans. A. W. Wheen (originally published in 1928; now Ballantine Books, 1982). ISBN: 0449213943
  • Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House (originally published in 1879; any edition).

Course Requirements:

Percent

Assignments

25

Midterm Examination: consisting of short answer, multiple-choice, and map questions, as well as one essay. Questions will arise from readings, lectures, and discussions. Click here for Study Guide. Click to see map of Europe, 1815. To take place on 8 October 2007, 11:00 am-12:25pm in MUS-112

6

Participation: not simply coming to class, but also taking an active part in class activities and discussion (asking and answering questions).

10

One-page reflection essays: Two one-page essays on the two books (Ibsen and Remarque), due at the start of the classes at which we will discuss them (each worth five percent). Click here for the first assignment.

Click here for the Second Reflection Essay assignment.

14

Seven multiple-choice quizzes: from the WW Norton website: Students must choose the maximum number of questions from each multiple-choice chapter quiz and must complete each one assigned by 10 am of the date on which they are due. No late quizzes will be accepted; each worth two percent.

15

Three Unannounced Quizzes: consisting of short answer and/or multiple-choice questions on any course material (readings, lectures and films) to the date of the quiz (each worth five percent). No late or make-up quizzes without written documentation of medical or personal emergency.

30

Final Examination: consisting of short answer, multiple-choice, and map questions, as well as one essay. Questions will arise from readings, lectures, discussions and films. To take place on Monday, 26 November 2007, 11:00 am-1:30 pm in MUS-112!  Click here to view Final Exam Study Guide.

Class Format: Our classes will include lectures, group work, class discussions, and film presentations. It is very important that you complete reading assignments before class. I will presume that you have read the historical background. Instead of trying to cover all the subject matter in the reading, I will focus on important themes, points and controversies. The lectures and the class discussions will make much more sense and be more useful to you, if you have done the readings in advance.

Very important rules*:

  1. Make up examinations will be permitted only with written verification of medical or personal emergencies.
  2. No incompletes will be given that do not conform to CSUB policy.
  3. Each student should read CSUB’s policy on Academic Integrity, cheating and all forms of plagiarism (see the 2007-2009 CSUB Catalogue, p. 81; for the online version, click here). An F grade is required in proven instances of cheating and plagiarism.
  4. You MUST check your email account on a regular basis in order to do well in this course. I frequently send out email messages about the course, as well as handouts and other course materials. If you are not in the habit of checking your Runner email regularly, you should start, or else have your Runner email forwarded to whatever email address you do use regularly.
  5. Be on time for class; if you need to leave class early, please let me know in advance.
  6. The classroom is a public forum for dialogue. Hence, all electronic communication devices (especially cell phones and pagers) must be turned off.

*Students unable to comply with any of these guidelines should see me personally and immediately to discuss their reasons.

Course Outline:

*Readings are to be completed before class on the day that they are listed.

10 September 2007

Introduction to the syllabus, the Main Events.

Click here to see the Most Basic Dates for the course.

12 September 2007

The Enlightenment and the not so Enlightened

The Enlightenment and the not so Enlightened (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 18, pp. 630-635

14 September 2007

The French Revolution
The French Revolution (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 18, pp. 635-645

17 September 2007

The French Revolution: Radicalization

The French Revolution: Radicalization (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 18, pp. 645-652

19 September 2007

The Rise and Demise of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna

The Rise and Demise of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna (Text Version)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 18, pp. 653-664; and Chapter 20, pp. 705-716

Chapter 18 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

21 September 2007

Industrial Revolution: Why Great Britain?

Industrial Revolution: Why Great Britain? (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 19, pp. 669-678

24 September 2007

Industrial Revolution, Part II: The Continent

Industrial Revolution, Part II: The Continent (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 19, pp. 679-689

26 September 2007

Peasants in Europe: Who were they and how did they live?

Peasants in Europe: Who were they and how did they live? (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 19, pp. 689-702

Chapter 19 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

28 September 2007

CENSUS DAY: Last day to withdraw from classes without “W”

Origins of Nationalism

Origins of Nationalism (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 20, pp. 719-721; Chapter 21, 743-751

1 October 2007

 

Industrialization, cities and classes

Industrialization, cities and classes (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 20, pp. 716-719; 734-738

3 October 2007

Empires of a different kind? The Habsburgs and the Romanovs

Empires of a different kind? The Habsburgs and the Romanovs (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 22, pp. 781-800

5 October 2007

European Nationalism. Unification of Italy and Germany

European Nationalism. Unification of Italy and Germany (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 21, pp. 752-774

Begin reading Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House (1879)

Chapter 21 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

8 October 2007

MIDTERM EXAMINATION in MUS-112!!

Click here for Study Guide

Click to see map of Europe, 1815

10 October 2007

Gender and the Rise of the Women's Movement

Gender and the Rise of the Women's Movement (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 23, pp. 817-831

12 October 2007

Discussion of Henrik Ibsen, Doll’s House (1879)

First one-page Reflection Essay on Doll’s House, due at the start of the class session (worth five percent of overall grade). Click here for assignment.

15 October 2007

Late 19th-century Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa

Late 19th-century Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 22, pp. 800-814

Chapter 22 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

17 October 2007

Origins of the Great War, 1900-1914

Origins of the Great War, 1900-1914 (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 24, pp. 861-870

Begin reading Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, to page 74

19 October 2007

The Great War, Front, Home and Total War

The Great War, Front, Home and Total War (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 24, pp. 870-882

All Quiet on the Western Front,  pp. 75-136

 

22 October 2007

Revolutions in the Former Russian Empire

Revolutions in the Former Russian Empire (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 23, pp. 838-842; Chapter 24, pp. 882-887

All Quiet on the Western Front, pp. 137-229

24 October 2007

Versailles and the Post-War settlement

Versailles and the Post-War settlement (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 24, pp. 888-894

All Quiet on the Western Front, pp. 231-296

Chapter 24 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

26 October 2007

Discussion of All Quiet on the Western Front

Students must come prepared to discuss all aspects of the book

Second Reflection Essay on All Quiet on the Western Front due at the start of the class session (worth five percent of overall grade).

Click here for the Second Reflection Essay assignment.

29 October 2007

Totalitarianism of the Right and of the Left

Totalitarianism of the Right and of the Left (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 25, pp. 897-907

31 October 2007

Film: “The Fatal Attraction of Adolf Hitler”

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 25, pp. 907-919

2 November 2007

Totalitarianism of the Right and of the Left

Totalitarianism of the Right and of the Left (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 25, pp. 919-929

Chapter 25 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

5 November 2007

Origins of the World War II: Appeasement or Aggression?

Origins of the World War II: Appeasement or Aggression? (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 26, pp. 931-944

7 November 2007

World War II

World War II (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 26, pp. 945-947

9 November 2007

The Holocaust and the end of World War II

The Holocaust and the end of World War II (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 26, pp. 948-966

Chapter 26 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am!

12 November 2007

Veterans Day! No classes today!

14 November 2007

The Cold War in Europe, Origins and first decades

The Cold War in Europe, Origins and first decades (text only)

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 27, pp. 975-990

16 November 2007

FILM: Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove Or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964)

19 November 2007

Last day of classes

The End of the Cold War, the Soviet Union and even History?

The End of the Cold War, the Soviet Union and even History? (text only)

Click here to see timeline of the collapses

*Reading:

Western Civilizations, Chapter 28, pp. 1011-1040

Chapter 28 Multiple choice quiz due by 10 am! (extra credit)

FINAL EXAMINATION: Monday, 26 November 2007, 11:00 am-1:30 pm

in MUS-112

Click here to view Final Exam Study Guide!

Please note: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change depending upon the needs of the class.

*To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) as soon as possible. Their office is located in SA 140, and they may be reached at 661-654-3360 (voice), or 661-654-6288 (TDD). If you have an accommodations letter from the SSD Office documenting that you have a disability, please present the letter to me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss the specific accommodations that you might need in this class.

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