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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 211"
COURSE NAME: "Twentieth-Century Europe and the World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Luca De Caprariis
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: M, T, W, Th 12:00-13:000
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.

Satisfies "Modern History" core course requirement for History majors.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be four class meetings per week. Lectures will be followed by questions and discussion. Students should come to class prepared, completing the assigned readings before each class meeting.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will develop an understanding of imperialism, the origin and course of the two world wars, the crisis of Liberalism, the Soviet Revolution, the emergence and nature of authoritarian and fascist regimes in interwar Europe. This course will also teach students to understand the historical development of post 1945 Europe, its contemporary problems, to analyze primary and secondary materials, and to develop critical thinking.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The First Socialist Society. A History of the Soviet Union from WithinG. HoskingHarvard9780674304437      
Europe between the WarsMartin KitchenRoutledge978058289414     
The End of the European Era: 1890 to presentF. Gilbert; D. Clay LargeNorton9780393930405     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
midterm examinationEssay exam: students will answer two essay questions30%
final examinationEssay exam: students will answer two essay questions30%
paperStudents will select one or more of the sources we examined during the Semester’s first five week (primary, secondary, maps) relating to an issue you deem important to the understanding of the course of European history and write a 4-page essay providing a critical assessment of that question.30%
in class participation 10%
   
   

-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 has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
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.
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.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office.  Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor.  Attendance is mandatory. Students should keep their mobile phones turned off during lecture. You may use your laptop to take notes, but you are not allowed to surf the web during class. Should you fail to follow these rules I will ban laptops from classroom altogether.
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

Schedule of Topics

The Coming of a New Century: The Second Industrial Revolution and the Growth of Imperial Rivalries. G: 3-98.

The first Global Conflict or a European Civil War? World War I.  G: 98-139.

A failed Attempt to Rebuild the World System: Versailles and the post-war Crises. The Search for Stability. G. 144-170; K: 29-54.

The Russian Revolution and the Making of the Soviet Union. G: 170-178; Hosking: 35-118; K: 151-153.

The Soviet Union from the NEP to Stalin's Terror.  G: 299-305; Hosking: 119-226; K: 154-175. Eastern Europe between the Wars. K: 176-211.

Capitalism and Liberal Democracy Challenged: France and Britain and their Empires between the Wars.  G: 184-198; 235 243; K 276-334.

The post war crisis in Italy and Germany: Mussolini and Italian Fascism.  G: 198-208; K: 212-242.

Weimar, Hitler, Nazi Germany G: 179-184; 218-223; K: 243-275; G: 243-271; K: 366-394.    

Authoritarianism in Southern Europe:  Salazar and Franco  

Appeasement and the Road to World War II in Europe and the Pacific. G: 272-286; 292-299; K: 395-425. Hitler's search for a New Order.

A global conflict: WWII. G: 306-342; Hosking: 261-295.

The Foundations of Post-War Europe. Europe Divided. G. 345-353; Hosking: 296-325.

Germany Divided and the Cold War. G: 354-361 

The Survival of Authoritarianism in post-war Europe: Spain and Portugal

A Socialist Empire: Stalin’s Soviet Union and the Sovietization of Eastern Europe. G: 367-379; Hosking: 296-325.

Western Europe from War to Peace. The end of the European Empires?  Decolonization and Neocolonialism G: 361-366.

The Political Balance in Western Europe: Christian Democracy, Democratic Socialism and the Rise of Communist parties. European Integration and Economic Miracles. G: 379-403; 413-416.

Russia after Stalin: Hosking: 326-362 The Soviet Union and the Popular democracies to the late 1970's: Hosking: 362-401.

he Two Blocs after Stalin’s Death: The Cold War Drags on.

Britain, France, Germany and Italy from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. G: 409-427; 437-505. Democratization in Spain and Portugal. G: 492-494. 

Crisis and Stagnation in the Eastern Bloc.

The Eastern European Revolution and the collapse of Communism. G: 506-544; Hosking: 401-50. 

Towards a new Europe?