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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "HS 263-1"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Europe III: Contemporary European History - 1945 to Present"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Recommended: HS 261, HS 262
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
HS 263 aims to introduce students to the main aspects of European history from 1945 to the end of the twentieth century. Familiarity with this crucial period will enable students to better understand the contemporary world. The course also aims to develop students' historical awareness and analytical abilities.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will follow a broadly chronological structure and focus chiefly on political aspects of the period's history: on the key developments of the Cold War, considering both Western and Eastern European countries (including Soviet Russia); on decolonization and the end of European imperial control; on the founding and development of European and global multinational institutions such as NATO and the European Union. The course will consider both individual national histories and broad comparative trends. The vital cultural, ideological and social changes of the period will also be explored.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students should have a clear understanding of the major trends in European post-war politics and the ways in which European societies have been transformed in the second half twentieth century. Students should have knowledge of the key events, personalities and developments of the period, and should also have further developed their own skills in argument and analysis.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Struggle for Europe | W. I. Hitchcock | Anchor Books | 9780385497992 | | | | | |
| Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century | M. Mazower | Penguin | 9780679757047 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Assigned topic research paper | In the first half of the semester students will write a 2000-word paper on one of a choice of two topics: decolonization and the end of European Empires; or the origins and early stages of European integration. | 15% |
| Independent choice research paper | Students will write a 2000-word research paper on a topic of their choosing in the second part of the semester. Topics for independent research papers will be chosen in agreement with the instructor and will give students the chance to pursue their own personal interests within the course framework. | 20% |
| Mid-Term | An in-class mid-term exam which will assess the work completed in the first half of the semester | 20% |
| Group presentation | In small groups, students will give short presentations and lead class discussion on assigned topics relating to the events and significance of 1968 in Europe. | 10% |
| Final Exam | An in-class final exam to test material covered in the second part of the semester as well as thematic issues arising from the entire semester. | 25% |
| Class Participation | Your class participation grade is based on actual participation. If you do not speak in class you cannot receive credit for participating! A perfect attendance record without any actual participation will not be sufficient to pass this section of the grade, so don't come to class to be a spectator. You must show evidence that you have completed the reading assignment in advance of class. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AA: 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 displays originality of thought. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course, leading to written work of an excellent quality. 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 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. 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 per excessive absence (ie. A- to B+, B+ to B 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.
- You may not use a laptop in class unless you have special permission.
- Try to minimize all forms of disruption to the class: this includes constantly leaving to the bathroom, eating, using your phone etc. This behavior is disrespectful to me and to your classmates.
- It is your responsibility to check MyJCU 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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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NB Draft schedule subject to minor revision
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13 Jan
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1. Europe in Ruins: the aftermath of the Second World War
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15 Jan
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2. The search for a settlement: peace treaties and political resolutions
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20 Jan
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3. The Cold War I: causes and origins
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22 Jan
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4. Reconstruction: the West
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27 Jan
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5. Soviet Reconstruction: the East
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29 Jan
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6. European Integration I: From the ECSC to the European Community
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3 Feb
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7. The 50s boom: economy and demographics
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5 Feb
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8. The USSR and the end of Stalinism
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10 Feb
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9. 1956 in Hungary: Freedom’s Fury documentary screening
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12 Feb
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10. Decolonization I: Asia & the Far East
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17 Feb
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11. Decolonization II: Africa
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19 Feb
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12. The Cold War II: escalation and the Cuban Missile Crisis
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24 Feb
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13. Revision & discussion for mid-term exam
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26 Feb
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MID TERM EXAM
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15. Social change and the European social model
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5 Mar
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16. Feminism & women's liberation
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10 Mar
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17. Discontent in Eastern Europe & the Prague Spring
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12 Mar
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18. 1968: presentation / discussion session
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24 Mar
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19. Terrorism in Europe: ideological and nationalist violence
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26 Mar
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20. European Integration II: Southern Europe and the growth of the EC
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31 Mar
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21. The Cold War III: From détente to the 'New Cold War'
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2 Apr
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22. The Fall of the USSR
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4 Apr
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23. The end of communism in Eastern Europe
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7 Apr
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24. European Integration III: From the single market to the European Union
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9 Apr
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25. The de-Sovietization of Eastern Europe
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14 Apr
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26. Ethnic conflict and the Balkan wars
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16 Apr
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27. Europe in the new century: from 9/11 to EU expansion
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23 Apr
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28. Conclusions and revision session
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