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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 373"
COURSE NAME: "A World at Arms: The Second World War"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Wilcox Vanda
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 11:00-13:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: One previous history course. Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to introduce students to the complexities of the Second World War and deepen their knowledge of twentieth century history. Focusing both on European and non-European actors, this course aims to give students a good understanding of this vital historical period as well as further developing their historical skills.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course explores the Second World War as a global conflict, considering both European and Pacific theatres, and combines a chronological outline of events with thematic analysis of core issues. Beginning with a clear focus on the ideological origins of the war in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan the course will progress through the key battles and political decisions around the world: though the main focus will be on the military and political developments, including the Holocaust, the course will also consider social, economic and cultural aspects of the conflict. Finally we will also explore the aftermath and legacies of the war.

Classes will combine lectures, discussions of assigned readings and evaluation of primary sources including texts, film and images.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should develop an understanding of the course of the Second World War and of the forces that determined its outcome. They will develop skills in critiquing primary and secondary sources and in presenting arguments both orally and in writing.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the Red Army, 1941-1945V. Grossman,  978-0307275332 any edition will do for this text including Kindle / e-book editions   
A World at Arms: a Global History of World War II G. WeinbergCambridge9780521618267D743 .W424any recent edition will do   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Third Reich at war : how the Nazis led Germany from conquest to disasteR. J. EvansPenguin9780141015484D757 .E83 
A War to be WonWilliamson Murray, Allan MillettBelknap Press067400163XD767.98.M87 
The Economics of World War IIM. Harrison (ed)Cambridge9780521785037HC58 .E36 
The rising sun: the decline and fall of the Japanese empire, 1936-1945J. Toland 0812968581D767.2.T58 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 short quizzes (5% each)To be held in class, dates to be announced10%
RESEARCH PAPERStudents will write a 2500-3000 word paper on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor. This paper must be submitted by email no later than the last day of regular class (Thursday 21 June).30%
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONAll students will deliver a presentation to the class in Week 2 of the Summer Session. Topics will be allocated on the first day of class.20%
PRIMARY SOURCE PAPERAll students will write a 2000-word paper based on V. Grossman, <em>A Soviet Writer at War</em>. This is due no later than Friday 8 June.25%
CLASS PARTICIPATIONStudents are expected to actively participate in class, including clear evidence that they have completed reading assignments. This is NOT a grade for attendance but for actively taking part in discussion, asking and answering questions and sharing ideas.15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

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 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.

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 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 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 performance 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:
Effective class participation is central to this class, so attendance is mandatory.  More than 3 unauthorised absences will cause your final overall grade to be reduced (ie. A- to B+, B+ to B etc). An excused absence requires a doctor's note or official confirmation from the university that you have had an illness, family emergency or legal obligation which prevents you from attending class. 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. It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.

NB Supplementary Class Policy: Laptops or other computers may NOT be used in class.
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
NB DRAFT SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION

WEEK 1: CAUSES AND ORIGINS     

  1.  Intro: from Versailles to Appeasement
  2. Nazi Germany
  3. Fascist Italy
  4. Imperial Japan

WEEK 2: MILITARY EVENTS: THE WAR ON LAND, AT SEA AND IN THE AIR

  1. From the invasion of Poland to the end of 1940
  2. Axis domination: 1941-42
  3. The Casablanca Conference (January 1943) to mid-1944
  4. From D-Day to VE Day

WEEK 3: OCCUPATION AND RESISTANCE

  1.  Nazi policy in the East / 1939-42
  2. Debates on the Holocaust
  3. The Japanese Empire
  4. Resistance movements

WEEK4: THE HOME FRONT: POLITICS AND ECONOMICS

  1.  Economies at war: the Axis powers
  2. Economies at war: the Allies
  3. Liberal democracies at war: politics in Britain & the US
  4. Civilian life, social change & gender roles at war

WEEK 5: LEGACIES, CONSEQUENCES, MEMORIES

  1. The end of the war in Europe & its international implications
  2. The Atomic bomb
  3. Nuremberg & Tokyo Trials
  4. Memory & Commemoration