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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 200"
COURSE NAME: "Doing History"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Luca De Caprariis
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Co-requisites: EN 110
OFFICE HOURS: tba
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to the practice of history, that is, how professional historians investigate, reconstruct, and interpret the past. Students will examine a variety of methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives that historians have employed in studying a particular historical problem (the topic varies from semester to semester). Students will also engage directly in practicing history by analyzing a variety of primary and secondary sources and carrying out a significant research project related to the topic of the semester.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be two class meetings per week. Students should come to class prepared. All assigned readings should be completed before each class meeting
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will develop their abilities to:
Evaluate/analyze differing scholarly arguments/interpretations of historical problems
Critically assess primary and secondary sources
Respect academic integrity and ethical standards
Effectively communicate ideas and information orally and in writing in accurate, polished and persuasive Englis
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Spanish Civil WarStanley PayneCambridge University Press9780521174701     
The Spanish Civil War: Reaction Revolution and RevengePaul PrestonWW Norton9780393329872     
The Franco RegimeStanley PayneWisconsin9780299110703ebook available, JCU library Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Research Paper (including draft, revision, and presentation) 12 pagesStudents will explore a topic appropriate for the course chosen in consultation with me. I will guide you through the processes of preparing a first draft and revising that draft to produce a stronger final paper. You also will present this paper to the rest of the class for discussion. The grade on this assignment will be determined by the strength of your analysis and research, the persuasiveness of your argument (including quality of writing), and the originality of your thought.65%
Midterm Examination: The historiography on the Civil War, problems of interpretationYou will write one six-page paper assessing two different interpretation of critical issues related to the history of the Spanish republic, the outbreak of the Civil war and the political evolution of the Republican and the Nationalist zone. 35%
   

-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 course.
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

Attendance is mandatory. Students should keep their mobile phones turned off  during class. You may use your laptop, 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.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. 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 by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. 
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

Introduction and Overview. 

The 1898 Desastre and the Crisis of the Constitutional Monarchy. FR: 3-18; Preston: 17-37. 

Portugal: the Nation that Refused to Die? The crisis of the Portuguese Monarchy: Wheeler: 3-47

The First Portuguese Republic: The war: instability and pronunciamentos: Wheeler: 111-233

Primo de Rivera Dictatorship: A "Dictablanda"? FR: 19-33; Preston: 17-37. 

Salazar and the Estado Novo

Spain’s First Democracy: The Second Republic. FR: 34-45. Preston: 38-65; Payne: 5-23.

A New, Modern, and Progressive Spain?  Republican Reforms. FR: 34-45; Preston: 38-65; Payne: 5-23.

The Resurgence of the Right. The enigma of the CEDA.  FR: 46-66; Preston: 66-101: Payne 5-23.

1934: Revolution in the Asturias and Catalonia, repression and radicalization. Preston: 66-101; Payne: 24-36

 A turn to the right: the CEDA-Radicals coalition. Polarization of politics to the 1936 Elections: the Breakdown of Democracy in Spain. Preston: 66-101; Payne: 37-63

Franco’s Rising: War and Revolution in the Republican zone. Preston: 102-134; 229-265. FR: 67-11; Payne: 64-81; 93-115.  Homage to Catalonia 

Movie: Land and Freedom

The "Crusade:" the Nationalist zone and Franco’s Wartime Government FR: 163-208; Payne: 119-130; Preston: 199-228

Foreign Intervention: 

The Civil War and the Great Powers. Preston; 135-162; Payne: 131-159.

The Nationalist Victory. FR: 120-162; Preston: 266-302; Payne: 183-202.

Franco’ New State. FR: 231-265; Preston: 303-327; Payne: 244-251.

The New Regime and the Second World War: FR: 266-342

Franco’s Regime after World War II. FR: 343-384.

Portugal during and after WWII: the "Estado Novo in a democratic Europe. The colonial problem.

Franco's Dictadura during the 1950’s. FR: 357-459.

“Change or Die”: Economic Reforms and the Desarollo. FR: 463-542.

Transformation and the Twilight of the Regime. FR: 543-590.

The end

From Salazar to Caetano to Democracy..

The Death of the Generalissimo: Ruptura or Transición Democratica? Francoism in perspective. FR: 591-647.

Paper Presentations