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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 263-1"
COURSE NAME: "Contemporary European History: 1945 to Present"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: De Caprariis Luca
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Recommended: HS 261, HS 262
OFFICE HOURS: M,W 11:30-12:30; T, Th 16:00-17:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover the history of Europe from the end of World War II to the downfall of the Soviet Union. Although the main focus will be on political developments, considerable attention will be paid  to economic and social transformation and to the history of culture and ideas. Major emphasis will be on the legacy of Nazism, Fascism and collaboration,  the Cold War, democratization and modernization, the Sovietization of Eastern Europe, the birth and development of the European Community, the collapse of Communism and the rebirth of nationalism between the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21th Century.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be two class meetings per week. Lectures will be followed by questions and discussion. Students should come to lecture prepared, completing the assigned readings before each class meeting.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will teach students to understand the historical development of post 1945 Europe, to analyze primary and secondary materials, and to develop critical thinking.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Dark ContinentM. MazowerVintage9780679757047     
Europe Troubled PeaceT. BuchananBlackwell9780143037757     
Post-War: A History of EuropeT. JudtPenguin9780143037757      
The First Socialist Society: A History of the Soviet Union C. HoskingHarvard9780674304437     
The Captive MindC. MiloszVintage9780679728566      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm ExamEssay exam: students will answer two essay questions25%
Final ExamEssay exam: students will answer two essay questions35%
Final PaperAll students will submit a twelve page paper30%
in class participation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Criteria

Strength and coherence of analysis, command of material, and originality of thought will determine students' grade.

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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 is mandatory. Students should keep their cell phones turned off during lectures. 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 guidelines I will ban laptops from class 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


January

 16     Introduction. The Foundations of Post-War Europe. M: 182-211; B: 9-34; J: 13-61; Hosking: 261-295.

18     Europe Divided. M: 212-245; J: 63-128. 

23     Western Europe From War to Peace. I. Britain. B: 61-77. 

25     II. France. B: 61-77. 

30     III. Italy. B: 61-77. 

 February

 1       IV. Spain and Portugal: Franco and Salazar after World War II. B: 77-80. 

3       Stalin’s Soviet Union. B: 80-90; M: 250-285; Hosking: 205-226; 296-325. 

6       The “Popular Democracies:” The Sovietization of Eastern Europe. M: 250-285; B: 80-90. 

8       Germany Divided. B: 36-60. 

13      The Cold War. M: 245-249; B: 36-60; J: 129:164. 

15      European Cooperation: A Twisted Path. B: 224-246; J: 241-323 

20      The Political Balance in Western Europe: Christian Democracy, Democratic Socialism and the rise of Communist parties. B: 91-117;    M: 286-292              

22      Russia after Stalin. B: 144-154; Hosking: 326-362.

27      Recovery and Growth in Western Europe. B: 118-143; M: 292-298; J: 324-359. 

29      The Soviet and Eastern European Economies. B: 144-148; Hosking: 326-362. 

March

5 Mid-Term Exam

7       Social Transformation in Western Europe, the Welfare State. B: 118-143; M: 298-326; J: 360-389. 

9 Culture in Western and Eastern Europe. J: 197-237; Hosking: 401-445..

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

14    The Students and Workers Movement of 1968. B: 134-140; J: 390-421. 

26     Britain, France, Germany and Italy from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. B: 118-140; 168-187; J: 453-503.

28     The Eastern Bloc to 1970. B: 144-167; Hosking: 363-401. 

April

2      Crisis and Recovery in Western Europe. B: 168-187; M: 327-340. 

4      Britain, France, Germany and Italy to the 1990’s. B: 195-223; J: 535-558. 

11    Democratization in Spain and Portugal. B: 187-194; J: 504-526. 

16    The Collapse of Communism. I. Crisis and Stagnation. B: 247-259; M: 361-380; Hosking 446-501;
        J: 559-633.

18     II. The Eastern European Revolutions. M: 380-38; B: 259-272; Hosking 446-501; J: 559-633. 

23     Europe after the Cold War.  M: 389-403; B 273-305. J: 637-74.

30 The Challenges of Contemporary Europe. Conclusions.