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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 210-2"
COURSE NAME: "Nineteenth-Century Europe and the World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
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 the French Revolution to the outbreak of World War I. In it, students investigate the cultural, diplomatic, economic, political, and social developments that shaped the lives of nineteenth-century Europeans. Significant attention will be given to the relationship between Europeans and peoples in other parts of the world, the development of new political ideologies and 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:
Topics to be covered in the course include the development of new political ideas and models of state organization such as liberalism, nationalism, imperialism and socialism  as well as critical events such as wars and revolutions.

Economic and social history are also of great importance in the period: topics will include the industrial revolution, population growth, urbanisation, education, and the evolution of gender roles. The development of new ideas, including in scientific, cultural and religious areas, is a major focus of the course. 

Primary sources and other resources will be posted on moodle, where students can also ask questions and comment on assignments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course students should have a good general understanding of the key events, ideas and individuals of the period, and the ways in which European politics and society were transformed.

Students will also:
- developed their abilities to describe, analyse and debate complex ideas and historical arguments
- strengthen both oral and written communication skills
- learn to work with primary sources
- learn about different types of historical writing and how to assess historical interpretations
- familiarise themselves with historical debates through analysing secondary literature.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Europe and the Making of ModernityR. Winks & J. NeubergerOxford University Press978-0195156225 other editions also acceptable   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Revolutionary Spring : Europe Aflame and the Fight for a New World, 1848-1849Christopher ClarkCrown Books978-0525575207 Clark, Christopher M. Revolutionary Spring : Europe Aflame and the Fight for a New World, 1848-1849. 2024 Crown trade paperback edition. New York [New York]: Crown, 2023.
Gendering European HistoryB. Caine and G. SlugaLeicester UP9780718501327  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
FinalA cumulative final covering all material covered in the course.30%
Written reading responsesYou will submit written responses and comments on readings online as well as in-class. You are expected to come to class ready to discuss or respond to assigned readings as well as completing reading responses at home.20%
Class DiscussionRegular participation in class discussion. This is NOT simply a grade for attendance.10%
Mid-term examAn in-class mid-term covering material from the first half of the course20%
Final PaperA 1800-word paper on a prompt issued by the instructor. Full instructions will be given 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 has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. 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 evaluatetheory 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 assignments. 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 reading around the topic. It is generally competent but offers little originality, or it may have some confused elements.
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).
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 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, (A- to B+, B+ to B etc). 5 or more absences will cause your final grade to be reduced by one full letter grade (A to B, B to C etc). 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 will 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.
  • Try to minimize all forms of disruption to the class: this includes constantly leaving to the bathroom, eating, browsing on facebook, checking your email, using your phone etc. This behaviour is disrespectful and above all distracting to me and to your classmates, and it prevents us from creating a productive working environment.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.
  • 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

 

1.                         Introduction: the Ancien Régime

2.                         Europe and the wider world I: slavery, imperialism & trade

3.                         The French Revolution and the Napoleonic era*

4.                         Revolutionary legacies: politics and economics*

5.                         Political Ideologies I: Conservatism and Conservatives*

6.                         Political Ideologies II: Liberalism and Liberals *

7.                         Political Ideologies III: early Socialism and utopianism *

8.                         Europe and the wider world II: the Opium wars & global capitalism

9.                         Industrial Revolution I: technological and social change*

10.                       Industrial Revolution II: urbanisation and the new city

11.                       Industrial Revolution III: work, gender and family life *

12.                       Reform and Revolution in the 1820s and 30s*

13.                       MID-TERM

14.                       Nations and Nationalism*

15.                       1848: France*

16.                       1848: success and failure outside France*

17.                       The birth of the modern state

18.                       In-class Paper-writing workship

19.                       Race, ethnicity and empire*

20.                       Nationalism in practice: Italian and German unification*

21.                       Multi-national Empires: Russia, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire*

22.                       Gender I: gender, sexuality and family life

23.                       Gender II: gendered citizenship

24.                       Science and education*

25.                       Religion and secularism*

26.                       Marxism and the radical left*

27.                       Europe and the wider world III: "new imperialism" and the Scramble for Africa*

28.                       Conclusions & Revision Session