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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "HS 211-1"
COURSE NAME: "Twentieth-Century Europe and the World"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Dark Continent | Mark Mazower | Vintade | 978-0679757047 | D424 .M39 1998 | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Bloodlands : Europe Between Hitler and Stalin | Timothy Snyder | Basic Books | 9780465031474 OR 9780465002399 | ebook available via library | |
| Voices of Decolonization | Todd Shepherd | Bedford St. Martin's / Macmillan | 9781457618154 | JV151 .S44 2014 | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Reading response and discussion | Written and oral discussion of assigned readings, in class and on moodle. You are expected to ask and answer questions, participate in group discussions, and offer thoughtful reactions. | 10% |
| Mid-term | In-class exam: assessing primary sources + 1 short essay
| 20% |
| Final Exam | Cumulative final exam: assessing primary sources + 2 short essays | 30% |
| Decolonization paper | Students will write a 1500 word paper on a selected aspect of decolonization. Prompts and full details will be assigned in class. | 20% |
| From Imperial Russia to the USSR | Students will write a 1500 word paper on a selected aspect of Russian or Soviet history, 1914-41. Prompts and full details will be assigned in class. | 20% |
-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:
Students should 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.
Up to 3 absences will be excused automatically. If you already have 3 or more absences, and you will be unavoidably absent from class, you can request an excused absence from the Dean of Students' office. To minimise unnecessary paperwork, please do not approach the Dean of Student's Office to excuse your first 3 absences, it is not needed.
CLASS POLICIES
Please note:
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It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.
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Please notify me via email if you are going to miss class, in advance where possible.
- Please 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 behaviour 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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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NB This schedule and readings are provisional and are subject to alteration
| 20 Jan |
1. Europe in 1900
Mazower: preface, pp. 1-8
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22 Jan
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2. International rivalries and colonialism
Three views on colonialism
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27 Jan
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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
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29 Jan
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4. Legacies of the First World War: redrawing the map of Europe
Wilson's Fourteen Points;
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3 Feb
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5. 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
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5 Feb
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6. Legacies of the First World War: Pacifism, disarmament and appeasement in the 20s & 30s
Mazower, pp. 8-25
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7 Feb
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7. Life & death in the Soviet Union, 1917-41
Snyder, Bloodlands, Ch. 1 - The Soviet Famines
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10 Feb
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8. Fascism and Nazism
Mazower, pp.26-39; Mussolini & Gentile, Doctrine of Fascism
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12 Feb
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9. The rise of totalitarianism in Europe: Italy, Spain and Germany
Mazower, pp. 40-76; The 25 Points
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17 Feb
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10. European democracies between the wars
Mazower, pp.105-117, 128-140
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19 Feb
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11. The Second World War in Europe
Snyder, Bloodlands, Chapter 4. Mazower, pp.141-169.
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24 Feb
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12. The Holocaust and mass killings in Eastern Europe
Snyder, Bloodlands, Chapters 5 & 6
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26 Feb
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13. European empires during and after the Second World War
Gandhi & Jinnah on the end of British India; Vann pp.221-227
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3 March
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14. MID-TERM EXAM
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5 March
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15. History paper-writing workshop
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17 March
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16. Post-war settlements: between punishment and regeneration
Mazower, pp. 185-214
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19 March
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17. 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
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24 March
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18. Post-war settlements: International organisations – the EEC, NATO and the UN
George Keenan on NATO; the Charter of the United Nations.
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26 March
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19. De-colonization in the 1950s and 1960s
UN Declaration on colonial independence, 1960; Vann: Afterword, pp.115-123
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31 March
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20. The Cold War in Europe and proxy conflicts around the world
Mazower, pp. 253-76
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2 April
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21. The Soviet Union, 1953-85
Mazower, pp. 276-89; Khrushchev's Secret Speech
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7 April
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22. Anti-Soviet movements in Eastern Europe: Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia
The Brezhnev Doctrine, 1968
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9 April
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23.Western European democracies and the welfare state
1945 Labour Party Manifesto; Mazower, pp. 290-316
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14 April
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24. Gender and family life in Europe since 1945
Mazower, pp. 316-331; De Beauvoir reading
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16 April
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25. Protest and political violence in the 1960s and 70s
French slogans from 1968
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23 April
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26.The fall of the USSR and the Soviet bloc
Mazower, pp. 367-96; Gorbachev on reform (Rec: Mazower, pp. 332-366)
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28 April
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27. From the European Economic Community to the European Union
Mazower, pp. 402-410
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30 April
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28. Europe in 2000; Revisions and Conclusions
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