Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 211-1"
COURSE NAME: "Twentieth-Century Europe and the World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the history of Europe and its relations with the larger world from World War I through the aftermath of the Cold War. In it, students investigate the cultural, diplomatic, economic, political, and social developments that shaped the lives of twentieth-century Europeans. Significant attention will be given to the relationship between Europeans and peoples in other parts of the world, the experience and significance of the World Wars and the Cold War, the development of democratic, authoritarian, and 'totalitarian' political systems, and the ways in which everyday life and culture changed during this period.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Major themes and topics of the course include: nationalism and the modern nation state; imperialism and the relationships between Europe and the wider world; the causes and events of the two world wars, both within Europe and around the globe; the rise of new political ideologies and the failure of democracy across much of Europe in the interwar period and during the Cold War; the history of Soviet Russia; decolonization; the birth of the European Union.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students should have a good general understanding of the key events and themes of the period. They will be encouraged to make comparisons across the period and between different states and societies. They will be asked to critically analyze differing interpretations and to reach their own conclusions, in order to build on their critical thinking abilities.

Students will gain experience in analyzing a selection of written or visual primary sources. They will develop and improve their skills in researching and writing, in order to produce effective research papers, as well as expressing their ideas orally.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century	Mark Mazower	Penguin	9780679757047

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Europe's Troubled Peace: 1945 to the present	Tom Buchanan	Blackwell	9781444357011	Ebook

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Book Review paper	A concise (700-800 word) review of a research monograph selected from a list supplied by the instructor (theme: the USSR 1917-1953), due Friday 24 February. Full instructions will be given in class	15%
Independent Research paper	2200-word paper on a topic of the students’ own choice, agreed with the instructor. Due Friday 31 March.	25%
Reading response and discussion	Written and oral discussion of assigned readings. Students must contribute every week to discussion on moodle, answering questions and offering reactions.	15%
Mid-term	In-class exam on all material covered up until that point, including reading assignments.	15%
Final Exam	Cumulative final exam.	30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and displays originality of thought. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course, leading to written work of an excellent quality which fully achieves or even exceeds the criteria set by the assignment. This is an exceptional grade only achieved by a minority of students.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. Written work shows a good level of research and reading beyond the required material and successfully achieves the criteria set by the assignment. This is a good grade reflecting hard work and ability.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings only. Written work shows a minimum level of research with no real further reading around the topic. It is generally competent but offers little originality, or it may have confused elements. It fulfills the basic requirements of the assignment.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. Written work shows little evidence of research, lacks citations or cites unacceptable sources (e.g. websites not specifically authorised by the instructor for use).
Fhis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant or fails to fulfill the assignment criteria.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance at class is mandatory. More than 3 unauthorised absences will cause your final overall grade to be reduced by one level per excessive absence (ie. A- to B+, B+ to B etc). More than 7 unauthorised absences lead to a failing grade on the class. An excused absence requires a doctor's note or official evidence that you have had an illness, family emergency or legal obligation which prevents you from attending class. Please bring or email this notification directly to me unless there is a good reason not to, otherwise please go to the Faculty Support Office in the Guarini Campus.

Travel plans, or mistakes in travel plans, are not an acceptable reason for missing class.

Students must sign in on the class attendance sheet at the start of each class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of class may be recorded as absent. Please be punctual. Attendance records are based on the sign-in sheet so it is your responsibility to make sure you sign it every class.

CLASS POLICIES

In addition to the attendance policy which you should read carefully, please note:

It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.
Please notify me via email if you are going to miss class, in advance where possible.
Computers may not be used in class. Exceptions may be granted to individuals who present compelling reasons. If I find that you are using your computer for non-class related purposes I will mark you down as absent for that session since you have been mentally absent from the classroom.
Try to minimize all forms of disruption to the class: this includes arriving late, constantly leaving to go to the bathroom, eating, using your phone etc. This behavior is disrespectful and above all distracting to your classmates, and it prevents us from creating a productive working environment.
It is your responsibility to check the class Moodle site for messages, schedule changes, class readings etc regularly.
Be aware that all work will be checked for academic dishonesty.
Late work will not be accepted after the final examination date.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

16 Jan	1. Europe in 1900
18 Jan	2. International rivalries and colonialism Three views on colonialism; Mazower: preface, pp. 1-8
25 Jan	3. The First World War as a global conflict H. Strachan, “The First World War as a Global War”, First World War Studies, 1(1), 2010
27 Jan	4. Legacies of the First World War: nationalism and anti-colonialism in India and the Middle East Smith, Leonard V.: Post-war Treaties (Ottoman Empire/ Middle East), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War, ed. by Ute Daniel et al, Berlin 2014-10-08
30 Jan	5. Legacies of the First World War: Pacifism, disarmament and appeasement in the 20s & 30s Wilson's Fourteen Points; Mazower, pp. 8-25
1 Feb	6. The Soviet Union, 1917-41 Mazower, pp. 117-128
6 Feb	7. Fascism and Nazism Mazower, pp.26-39; Mussolini & Gentile, Doctrine of Fascism
8 Feb	8. The rise of totalitarianism in Europe: Italy, Spain and Germany Mazower, pp. 40-76; The 25 Points
10 Feb	9. European democracies between the wars Mazower, pp.105-117, 128-140
13 Feb	10. Japanese imperialism and the Second World War S. Wilson, “The 'New Paradise': Japanese Emigration to Manchuria in the 1930s and 1940s” The International History Review 17:2 (1995), 249-86.
15 Feb	11. The Second World War in Europe Mazower, pp.141-169; Tami Davis Biddle, “Dresden 1945”, The Journal of Military History 72 (April 2008): 413–449
20 Feb	12. Anti-Semitism from the 1880s to the Holocaust H. Class, If I were the Kaiser; Mazower, pp. 170-184 (Rec. Mazower pp.77-105)
22 Feb	13. European empires during and after the Second World War Gandhi & Jinnah on the end of British India
27 Feb	14. MID-TERM EXAM
1 Mar	15. Post-war settlements: between punishment and regeneration Mazower, pp. 185-214
6 Mar	16. Post-war settlements: the occupation of Europe and birth of the Cold War Mazower, pp. 215-252; Churchill & Stalin on the origins of the Cold War
8 Mar	17. Post-war settlements: International organisations – the EEC, NATO and the UN George Keenan on NATO; the Charter of the United Nations.
13 Mar	18. De-colonization in the 1950s and 1960s UN Declaration on colonial independence, 1960;
15 Mar	19. The Cold War in Europe and proxy conflicts around the world Mazower, pp. 253-76
20 Mar	20. The Soviet Union, 1953-85 Mazower, pp. 276-89; Khrushchev's Secret Speech
22 Mar	21. Anti-Soviet movements in Eastern Europe: Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia The Brezhnev Doctrine, 1968
27 Mar	22. Western European democracies and the welfare state 1945 Labour Party Manifesto; Mazower, pp. 290-316
29 Mar	23. Gender and family life in Europe since 1945 Mazower, pp. 316-331; Friedan & De Beauvoir
10 Apr	24. Protest and political violence in the 1960s and 70s French slogans from 1968
12 Apr	25. The fall of the USSR and the Soviet bloc Mazower, pp. 367-96; Gorbachev on reform (Rec: Mazower, pp. 332-366)
19 Apr	26. Ethnic nationalism and the Balkan wars Mazower, pp. 396-401.
22 Apr	27. From the European Economic Community to the European Union Mazower, pp. 402-410
24 Apr	28. Europe in 2000