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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 121"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Western Civilization II"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Dario Biocca
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys European history from the Reformation to the present, concentrating on the intellectual, political, and economic transformations that marked the advent of Western modernity and on what these changes meant for the people living through them. An additional focus of the course is the evolving relationship between Europe and the rest of the world over the time period covered. Like HS 120, this course also provides an introduction to the practice of history, i.e., how historians go about reconstructing and interpreting the past.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course introduces students to the history of modern Europe. From the age of the Italian Renaissance to the “exportation” of Europe overseas and the Protestant Reformation, readings and class discussions will trace the roots of the European identity as well as of the many ethnic, social, religious and political institutions that shaped the birth of modern nations and states. The course will also study the outcomes of the French revolution and the industrialization of Europe and analyze the extraordinary events which led to the outbreak of WWI, the rise of totalitarianism and the Second World War. The conclusive weeks of the course will be devoted to the study of the EU and the Euro-American alliance in historical perspective.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will acquire a broad understanding of the complex narratives that over time have re-defined the European identity by highlighting specific events, philosophical doctrines, political systems, scientific methodologies, etc. In particular students will become familiar with the work conducted by historians and scholars of diverse disciplines on crucial components of the modern Western identity such as:

 

-       The Italian Renaissance

-       Religious conflict, with particular reference to Protestantism and the Counter-Reformation

-       Colonialism, with particular reference to Spain and Portugal

-       The English revolution

-       The Enlightenment

-       Science and communication

-       The French revolution and Napoleon

-       Industrialization and the “new” imperialism

-       Liberalism, democracy and socialism

-       The First world war

-       The rise of totalitarianism

-       The “new Europe”
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam 25
Final exam 30
Paper (8 pages) on a topic discussed in advance with the instructor 35
Class attendance and 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 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
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. The final exam period runs until ____________
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

Week 1 – The end of the Middle ages - The discovery of antiquity

Week 2 – The Italian Renaissance – Charles V and the Spanish-German empire

Week 3 – The age of exploration – Spain and Portugal

Week 4 – The Reformation – The Counter-Reformation

Week 5 – The wars of religion – Absolutism

Week 6 – Science, medicine and society – Women, children, animals

Week 7 – The English revolution – Hobbes and Locke

Week 8 – The Enlightenment – The roots of the French revolution

Week 9 – The industrial revolution – The European environment

Week 10 – The age of revolutions – The roots of nationalism

Week 11 – Art and literature – Architecture and psychoanalisis

Week 12 – The collapse of the “European system” – The First World War

Week 13 – Totalitarianism – Italy, Germany, the USSR

Week 14 – The Second World war – Europe and America after 1945

Week 15 – The Fall of the Soviet Union – The EU