History 102(2): Making of the Modern Western World, 1750 to present (Spring 2009)

CRN: 30024 (5.0 units)

Class meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:20- 7:25 pm in MUS-114

Instructor: Mark Baker

Office: 304D Faculty Towers

Telephone: (661) 654-6833

email: mbaker2@csub.edu

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

Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00-11:00 am

Tuesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 pm or 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 In addition to employing secondary sources, I will strive to give you all exposure to some of the more important historical documents of this period.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:

  • To identify and define the most important events, people, and processes of the transformation of the Western World over the last 250 years.

  • To evaluate primary sources critically and to describe how they might be used in understanding and writing history.

  • To think more critically about history, how it is constructed, written, and interpreted.

Required Reading:

  • Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey, Western Civilizations 16th ed., Volume C: Since 1789 (New York: W.W. Norton, 2008). ISBN: 0393931021

  • 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). ISBN: 0486270629

Course 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 4 May 2009, 5:20-7:25 pm in MUS-114.

10

10

Five 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 5 pm of the date on which they are due. No late quizzes will be accepted; each is worth two percent.

10

Participation: Not simply coming to class, but taking an ACTIVE part in class. Students will be evaluated on both the quantity and quality of their input, especially in addressing the discussion questions. Students will lose participation points for rude behavior in class.

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 Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 8:00-10:30 pm in MUS-114!  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 in the textbook. 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. Late papers will be accepted, but one-third of a grade per day will be deducted (i.e. a “B-“ paper that is one day late will become a C+ paper).

  2. Make-up examinations will be permitted only with written verification of medical or personal emergencies.

  3. No incompletes will be given that do not conform to CSUB policy.

  4. Each student should read in the catalogue CSUB’s policy on Academic Integrity, cheating and all forms of plagiarism. Submitting a paper (in whole or part) that was submitted for any other course is a form of plagiarism. A grade of “F” is required in all proven instances of cheating and plagiarism. This is not at the discretion of the instructor. Please click here to read CSUB’s policies on Academic Integrity.

  5. Turnitin.com: Students and the instructor will be using www.turnitin.com to learn about and check for plagiarism on the term paper. All students will need to register with www.turnitin.com in the first week of class. We will be using this site throughout the quarter. (Class ID: 2682106; Password: Ibsen)

  6. You MUST check your email account on a regular basis in order to do well in this course. I frequently send email messages about upcoming events concerning the course, as well as handouts and other course materials. If you are not in the habit of checking your Runner email regularly, you had better start, or else have your Runner email forwarded to whatever email address you do use regularly.

  7. Be on time for class; if you need to leave class early, please let me know in advance.

  8. The classroom is a public forum for dialogue. Hence, all electronic communication devices (especially cell phones and pagers) must be turned off during class.

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

Class Outline:

*All readings are to be completed before class on the day on which they are listed. Students should plan to spend at least 10 HOURS per week outside of class time reading these pages, taking notes on them, and reviewing lecture notes.
1 April 2009
6 April 2009
8 April 2009

The Rise and Demise of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 18, pp. 658-670; and Chapter 20, pp. 709-713
Chapter 18 Multiple choice quiz due by 5 pm!
13 April 2009
15 April 2009
20 April 2009

Origins of Nationalism (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 21, pp. 745-754

Empires of a different kind? The Habsburgs and the Romanovs (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 21, pp. 775-780
22 April 2009
27 April 2009

Gender and the Rise of the Women's Movement (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 23, pp. 834-837
Begin reading Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House (1879)
29 April 2009

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

DUE: 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.

Please submit essay to www.turnitin.com (Class ID: 2682106; Password: Ibsen) by 5:00 pm.
4 May 2009

**MID-TERM EXAMINATION!!**

Click here to see Midterm Exam Study Guide!
6 May 2009
11 May 2009

Origins of the Great War, 1900-1914 (text only)
The Great War, Front, Home and Total War (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 23, pp. 837-844; Chapter 24, pp. 865-888

Begin reading Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, to page 136.
13 May 2009

Revolutions in the Former Russian Empire (text only)
Versailles and the Post-War settlement (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 23, pp. 844-851; Chapter 24, pp. 888-901
All Quiet on the Western Front, pp. 137-229

Chapter 24 Multiple choice quiz due by 5 pm!
18 May 2009

Discussion of All Quiet on the Western Front
Students must come prepared to discuss all aspects of the book

DUE: 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.

Please submit essay to www.turnitin.com (Class ID: 2682106; Password: Ibsen) by 5:00 pm.
20 May 2009

Totalitarianism of the Right and of the Left (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 25, pp. 903-936
25 May 2009

Memorial Day

No class! Campus closed.
27 May 2009

Origins of the World War II: Appeasement or Aggression? (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 26, pp. 939-948
1 June 2009
3 June 2009

The Cold War in Europe, Origins and first decade (text only)
*Reading: Western Civilizations, Chapter 27, pp. 981-1014
8 June 2009

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 8:00-10:30 pm in MUS-114

Click here to see the Final Exam Study Guide.

 

Please note that 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.