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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 374H"
COURSE NAME: "Hitler and Mussolini: the Fascist and National Socialist Movements and Regimes(This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Luca De Caprariis
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 8:30AM 9:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 60
CREDITS: 4
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing, one previous course in History
OFFICE HOURS: M, W: 10:00-11:00. T, Th: 4:15-5:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will provide an advanced survey of the Fascist and National Socialist Movements and Regimes. The main emphasis will be on the breakdown of the Italian and German democracies, the emergence of Fascism and National Socialism, their ideology and goals, and the nature and structure of Mussolini’s New State and Hitler’s Third Reich. The major interpretations of Fascism will be examined in the last part of the course. 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be two lectures per week, followed by questions and discussion. Lectures will be followed by questions and discussion. Student should be punctual, and come to class prepare, completing the assigned readings before each class meeting.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will teach students to understand the nature and ideology of Italian Fascism and German National Socialism through an in depth analysis of primary and secondary source material.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Hitler's Germany: Origins, Interpretations, LegaciesR. StackelbergRoutledge9780415770217 second edition   
Ordinary MenChristopher R. BrowningPenguin9780141000428     
Italian FascismA. De GrandNebraska University Press9780803266223     
Hitler's National CommunityLisa PineHodder Education9780340888469     
A History of FascismStanley G. PayneRoutledge9781857285956     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm ExaminationEssay Exam: Students will answer two essay questions25%
Final ExaminationEssay Exam: Students will answer two essay questions35%
Paper Honors students will write a 16-18 page paper. Topics will be decided in consultation with the instructor30%
In class 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.

Attendance is mandatory. Students should keep their mobile phone turned off during lecture. You may use your laptop to take notes, but you are not allowed to surf the wen during class. Should you fail to follow these rules I will ban laptop 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

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS

 

January

 

 18    Introduction and Overview.

 

The Cultural Transformation of the Fin De Siècle. I

 

P: 23-68; Sta: 45-56.

 

 20   The Cultural Transformation of the Fin De Siècle. II

 

P: 23-68; DG 5-21; Sta 45-56.

 

 25   World War I.

 

P: 71-79; Sta: 35-44, 57-67.

 

27   The Post War Crises I. Weimar Germany

 

P: 147-157; Sta 67-84.

 

February

 

1    Hitler: from Linz to Munich, via Vienna.

 

P: 147-157; Sta: 67-84.

 

3    The Post-War Crises II. The Breakdown of Liberal Italy.

 

Revolutionary Agitation and Mussolini’s "Fasci di Combattimento."

 

DG: 21-30; P: 80-94.

 

8    Growth and Transformation of Fascism. The "March on Rome"

 

DG: 31-37; P: 94-110.

 

10   1922-1925: Mussolini as Semi-Constitutional Prime Minister

 

DG: 41-54; P: 110-115.

 

15   Italy 1925-1929: Mussolini’s "New State."

 

DG: 54-77; P: 115-128.

 

17   Weimar Stabilization. The Main Kampf and the Rebuilding of the Nazi Party. P: 157-164; Sta: 84-88.

 

22   The Great Depression and the Collapse German Democracy.

 

P: 164-81; Sta 89-112.

 

24   The Nazi Seizure of Power.

 

P: 164-181; Sta 89-112.

 

29   The Gleichschaltung of Germany.

 

P:164-179; Sta: 113-134.

 

March

 

 2    Mussolini’s Regime in the early 1930’s. The Age of Consensus.

 

I. The Organization of Consensus.

 

DG: 77-91; P: 212-226.

 

4    The Age of Consensus. II

 

The Duce’s’s Totalitarian Project.

DG: 77-91; P: 212-226.

 

7    Midterm Examination

 

9    Fascist Foreign Policy. Ethiopia.

 

DG: 92-102; P: 227-238.

 

14   The Nazi State: Society and Economy.

 

P: 179-194; Pine 17-98; Sta 135-158.

 

16   The Nazi State: Building a Volksgemeinschaft. I.

 

P: 194-211; Pine 101-165; Sta; 159-175.

 

21   The Nazi State: Building a Volksgemeinschaft. II.

 

Sta 176-187; Pine: 169-225.

 

 23   Paper Presentation.

 

April

 

4    Hitler’s Foreign Policy: The Road to War.

 

Sta: 188-21.

 

6    Mussolini’s Regime after Ethiopia: Semi-Nazification and the Racial Laws. DG: 103-116; P: 238-244.

 

11   World War II. The National Socialist New Order.

 

DG: 117-123; P: 355-380; Sta: 214-233.

 

13   The Holocaust.

 

P: 380-382; Sta: 254-274.

 

18   Mussolini’s Parallel War.

 

DG: 123-129; P: 382-391.

 

20   Defeat and Destruction of Fascism.

 

DG: 130-137; P: 411-414; 436-437; Sta: 234-253.

 

25   Interpretations of Fascism.

 

DG: 138-163; P: 441-495; Pine: 227-234; Sta: 292-309; 13-25

 

27   Conclusions