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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 262-2"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Europe II: The Age of Imperialism"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: De Caprariis Luca
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 8:30-9:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Recommended: HS 261
OFFICE HOURS: M,W 11:30-12:30; T, Th 16:00-17:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the political, social and economic history of Europe from the 1878 to 1945. Although main focus will be on political and diplomatic developments, the history of culture and ideas and the evolution of the European econimy  will also be given considerable attention. Major emphasis will be on the second industrial revolution and  imperialism, the intellectual crisis of the fin de siècle, the Great War, the emergence of communist, authoritarian and fascist regimes in the 1920’s and 1930's, and the origins and course of the Second World War.
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:
Students should develop an understanding of imperialism, the origin and course of the two world wars, the crisis of Liberalism, the Soviet Revolution, and the emergence and nature of authoritarian and fascist regimes in interwar Europe.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Ethnic Nationalism and the Fall of EmpiresA. Roshwald Routledge978041522295     
The End of the European CenturyF. Gilbert, D. ClaylargeNorton9780393930405     
Europe between the WarsM. KitchenLongman9780582894143     
Death in VeniceT. Mannany edition000000000000     
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%
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 mobile phones turned off during lecture. 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 rules I will ban laptops from classroom 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


January



16     Introduction and Overview. Europe in the 1880’s. Gilbert 3-7; 12-34.

18     Imperialism: Rivalry and Interdependence I. Gilbert 3-34.

23     Imperialism: Rivalry and Interdependence II. Gilbert 3-34

25     Britain and the Empire. Gilbert 35-53.

30    The Third Republic: France at the Turn of the Century. Gilbert 53-63.


February


1      Spain under the Constitutional Monarchy.

3      Giolitti and Democratic Liberalism in Italy. Gilbert : 63-67.

6      Nations and Empire 1. Imperial Russia. AR: 19-27; Gilbert: 80-89

8      Nations and Empire 2. Austria-Hungary.  AR: 1-19; Gilbert: 75-80.

13    Nations and Empire 3. The Ottoman Empire. AR: 28-33. 

15    Bismarck’s Germany. Gilbert 67-75.

20    The Cultural Transformation of the Fin de Siècle. Gilbert: 7-12. Mann

22    Imperial Rivalries and the Balkan Quagmire: The Origins of World War I. Gilbert: 90-98; AR: 34-69.
    
27    A European Civil War: World War I. Gilbert: 98-124; 130-139: AR: 70-155.

29    The post-war Crises. Collective Security, Disarmament, Economic Depression: The Search for Social and International Stability.  Gilbert: 143-178; Kitchen: 1-88; 113-140. 

March

5       The Liberal Democracies: France and Britain between the Wars. Gilbert: 184-198; Kitchen: 276-334 

7   First Examination

9        The Russian Revolution. Gilbert 134-30; 208-217; AR: 171-183. 
 
12      Stalin’s Soviet Union. Gilbert: 299-305; Kitchen: 141-175. 

14      Eastern Europe between the Wars. Gilbert; AR: 198-223; Kitchen: 176-211. 

26      Mussolini and Italian Fascism. Gilbert 128-208; Kitchen: 211-242. 

28      The Weimar Republic. Gilbert: 178-184; 218-228; Kitchen: 243-274.


April 

2       Authoritarianism in Southern Europe: I. Salazar’s Estado Novo in Portugal. Gilbert. 

4       Authoritarianism in Southern Europe: II. The Spanish Civil War and Franco. Gilbert: 286-292; Kitchen: 335-365. 

9       Nazi Germany. Gilbert 228-271; Kitchen: 366-394.

11     The Road to World War II. Gilbert: 273-286; 292-298; Kitchen: 395-425.

16     Hitler’s Offensive: Europe under German Domination. Gilbert: 306-342

18   From Blitzkrieg to Total War: Germany Defeated.  Gilbert: 306-342

23 The  End of European Supremacy.   Conclusions