Western Civilization Since 1650    (Spring 2011)

42. 126.04 (Tues-Thurs, 3:30) and 42.126.05 (Tues-Thurs, 12:30)

Professor:  M. Hickey    Office:  OSH 130  x-4161  mhickey@bloomu.edu 

Office hours:  T-Th, 2:00-3:15; Wed., 1:00-2:45 and 5:30-6:00.

Navigation links for this syllabus 

Link to Notes on the Russian Revolution/Soviet Union to 1939, for Quiz 5

Basic course information:

• Course introduction (topics, objectives, methods, assessment)
• Required texts
• Grade Components and Grade Scale
• Mandatory verification that you have read the syllabus
• Plagiarism Policy
• Attendance (Mandatory)
• Excused absences, late papers, and make-up assignments
• Link on Plagiarism/Guide to quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing correctly
• Tips on preparing for quizzes and exams
• Link on disruptive behavior

Explanations of graded course assignments:

• Textbook quizzes (20 percent of grade)
• Midterm exam (30 percent of grade) (Date: 3 March)
• Final exam (30 percent of grade) (Date: 4 May)
• Paper on H. G. Wells' The Time Machine  (20 percent of grade) (Due: 7 April)       

Weekly Schedule    

___________

Course Introduction

Scope

This course surveys the history of Western Civilization from the 1600s to the late 1900s.  It concentrates on aspects of European history using case studies.  The course focuses on the following fundamental issues:    

·         the development of the modern nation state

·         the rise of modern science and its application to theories about society 

·         the development of the modern capitalist economy, and in particular industrial capitalism 

·         the evolution of modern concepts of politics and government

·         the development of modern concepts of rights, and conflicts over who defines rights and who "gets" them

·         the contexts for and worldviews associated with modern political movements--particularly, Liberalism, Conservativism, Nationalism, Anarchism, Socialism, Communism, and Fascism 

·         methods modern states and other political actors use to mobilize and control (and destroy) populations 

Objectives

If you take your work in this course seriously, it will help you:

1. Build a base of useful knowledge about aspects of modern history
2. Apply critical thinking skills to understanding aspects of modern history
3. Apply critical reading skills to understanding aspects of modern history
4. Apply analytical writing skills to explain and interpret aspects of modern history

It is my hope that this course will help you "think historically"--in other words, that it will help you learn to use historical methods to ask questions about the past.  I am convinced that doing so can enrich your understanding of human cultures and societies in the past and in the present. 

Methods

There is a very heavy emphasis in this course on reading and writing.  The basic methods employed in this course will be: 

• Lectures and in-class discussions (which focus on objectives 1-3)

• Readings in course textbook and a supplementary text (which focus on objectives 1-3)

• Writing-intensive assignments that require analysis of readings and lectures (which focus on objective 4, but also 1-3)

Assessment

• Quizzes on basic comprehension of reading assignments (to assess progress re. objectives 1 and 3)
• An essay exam on all assigned readings and lectures to the mid-term (to assess progress re. objectives 1-4)
• A short (2-4 page) paper that analyzes a primary source reading in its historical contexts (to assess progress towards objectives 1-4)
• An essay exam on all assigned readings and lectures from the mid-term to the end of the semester (to assess progress re. objectives 1-4)

Required Texts

The following books are required.  Buy them at the University Store or buy them on-line, but you must have these specific editions: 

Judith Coffin, et. al., Western Civilizations:  Their History and Their Culture, Volume 2.  16th Edition.  (New York:  Norton, 2008.)

H. G. Wells, The Time Machine.  Signet Classics Mass Market Edition.  (New York:  Penguin, 2002.)

Grade Components and Grade Scale

Your grade in this course is based upon: 

• Reading Quizzes  (20 percent; 200 points possible)
• Mid-term Exam (30 percent; 300 points possible)
• Short Paper (20 percent; 200 points possible)
• Final Exam (30 percent; 300 points possible). 

Course grade scale: 

• A = >920
• A- = 919-900
• B+ =899-880
• B = 879-820
• B- = 819-800
• C+ = 799-780
• C =779-720
• C- = 719-700
• D+ = 699-680
• D = 679-600
• E = <600

Mandatory Verification that you have read the syllabus and are aware of course policies and procedures

You must read this syllabus and then sign a form verifying that you: a) have read this syllabus; b) are aware of course policies and procedures.    Follow this link to fill out the form:   Link to the "Verification Document" Form

If you have questions about the syllabus, course policies, or assignments, it is your responsibility to ask those questions (in class, or after class, or in my office hours, or by email).  It is my responsibility to answer those questions as clearly and directly as possible.  

I will not grade any of your quizzes, exams, or papers until you have verified that you have read the syllabus (etc).

Plagiarism Policy

This class has a  zero tolerance policy regarding plagiarism and all other forms of cheating. 

For the definitions of plagiarism and cheating that apply in this course, see this link on plagiarism.  

For the University's Academic Integrity Policy and an explanation of the appeals process regarding violations of academic integrity, see the online version of the  BU student handbook, The Pilot.  

If I determine that you have cheated or plagiarized on any assignment, I will strictly follow university guidelines: 

1. You will receive a failing grade for the assignment

2. I will file a formal report with BU’s Student Standards Board.  This can lead to your academic dismissal.

3. If you have cheated or plagiarized on more than one assignment, you will fail the entire course.

Attendance (Mandatory)

Your grade in the entire course will drop in direct proportion to your unexcused absences. 

Example:  Student X has 950 out of the 1000 possible points on graded assignments (an A).

                     Student X missed 20 percent of class sessions with unexcused absences

                     200 points will be deducted from Student X's course grade, which becomes 750 points (a C).

What are my minimal expectations?

• attend class session
• complete assigned readings
• take notes on the readings
• ask questions about readings in class
• take notes on the lectures
• ask questions about the lectures when you have questions

Excused Absences, Late Assignments, and Make-Up Assignments 

Excused absences:  

A student misses class because of illness, a family emergency, or a University-related event, but has either:

a) informed the instructor in writing in advance, or

b) after the fact, provides the instructor with University-approved documentation excusing the absence. 

Late Assignments: 

Assignments are due on the date and at the time indicated in the syllabus. 

10 percent of the possible grade total will be deducted from the grade of a paper that is late, with an additional 10 percent deducted for each additional day that it is late. 

At the instructor's discretion, this policy may be waved in the case of medical or other emergencies. 

Make Up Assignments:

Missed quizzes, exams, etc., can be taken at a later date only if the assignment was missed due to an excused absence. 

In such cases, the make up quiz or exam will be administered at a time and place chosen by the instructor.

Graded Assignments:

Textbook Quizzes  (20 percent of course grade/200 possible points)

There will be five (5) quizzes on textbook reading assignments.  Each quiz will count for 4 percent of the course grade (40 points possible per quiz).

The quizzes may cover and and all material in the assigned readings, and many include text focus questions, questions on the documents (boxed in the text), and questions on key terms. 

The quizzes may use multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, or short-answer format, or any combination of these.

Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class and will be "timed"; students who are late for class will not be granted extra time.

Grades on quizzes will be based on the accuracy of your answers.

Midterm Exam  (30 percent of course grade/300 possible points) (Date: 3 March)

On the date indicated in this syllabus, there will be an in-class midterm exam that covers all of the readings and lectures for the first seven weeks this course.     

The exam will be essay format, essays written in "blue books."

The possible essay questions will be announced at least one week in advance of the exam. 

Students are not permitted to use notes of any kind while taking the exam.  

Except in cases in which the instructor has consented to other arrangements, the exam will be given in the regular classroom during the regularly scheduled class period, and must be completed by the end of that class period.  Students who are late for the exam will not be given extra time.

For an answer to achieve a grade of "C" or higher, it must demonstrate command of evidence from the lectures and the assigned readings (both).

The exam grade will be based upon how well the essay satisfies the following requirements: 

• direct and complete response to the specifics of the question
• accurate use of information from all lectures and assigned readings (both) relevant to the question
• statement of a clear, logical argument (thesis) that answers the question based upon this evidence
• logical organization that focuses exclusively on the question and relates the evidence to the thesis
• clarity of expression (which includes use of correct grammar).

Final Exam  (30 percent of course grade/300 possible points) (Date:  4 May)

On the date indicated in this syllabus, there will be a final term exam that covers all of the readings and lectures for the last seven weeks of this course.     

The exam will be essay format, essays written in "blue books."

The possible essay questions will be announced at least one week in advance of the exam. 

Students are not permitted to use notes of any kind while taking the exam.  

Except in cases in which the instructor has consented to other arrangements, the exam will be given in the regular classroom during the regularly scheduled final exam period, and must be completed by the end of that period.  Students who are late for the exam will not be given extra time.

For an answer to achieve a grade of "C" or higher, it must demonstrate command of evidence from the lectures and the assigned readings (both).

The exam grade will be based upon how well the essay satisfies the following requirements: 

• direct and complete response to the specifics of the question
• accurate use of information from all lectures and assigned readings (both) relevant to the question
• statement of a clear, logical argument (thesis) that answers the question based upon this evidence
• logical organization that focuses exclusively on the question and relates the evidence to the thesis
• clarity of expression (which includes use of correct grammar).

Paper on H. G. Wells, The Time Machine (20 percent of course grade; 200 possible points) (Due date:  7 April)

Students will read the specific assigned edition of Wells' The Time Machine and write a 3-4 page paper that answers this question:

Based on the views expressed by the narrator ("the time traveler"), in what ways did did H. G. Wells' novel The Time Machine reflect significant contemporary (late 19th century) social theories?  For example, in what ways does his narrator seem to be influenced by "social Darwinism"?  In what ways does his narrator seem to be influenced by socialist views about social class and the economy?   What other contemporary (late 19th century) social theories might the book reflect, and why?

To answer this question adequately, you must:

• Provide brief but clear explanations of the relevant social theories, using evidence from the Coffin textbook and the lectures.

• Provide and explain clear examples of where the narrator appears to be influenced by those specific social theories.

• Organize your paper in clear and coherent paragraphs, with an introductory paragraph that states your thesis and a concluding paragraph.

• Provide citations for all quoted, paraphrased, or summarized material using this simple form:  (Wells, p.---), (Coffin, p. ---), or (Lecture, week---). 

• Follow course guidelines on quoting, paraphrasing, and summary.

• Write in clear and grammatically correct sentences.

Format:  Typed, double spaced, in Times Roman 12 point font.   1 inch margins.  No cover page.  Name at top left of page 1.  Page numbers top right.

The paper grade will be based upon how well the essay satisfies the following requirements: 

• direct and complete response to the specifics of the question
• accurate use of information from all lectures and assigned readings (both) relevant to the question
• statement of a clear, logical argument (thesis) that answers the question based upon this evidence
• logical organization that focuses exclusively on the question and relates the evidence to the thesis
• clarity of expression (which includes use of correct grammar).
• proper citation of sources of all evidence.

Warning:  This assignment is to be based entirely on materials assigned for this course, including the specific assigned edition of the Wells novel.  Students who base any or all portions of their papers on web-based sources, cliff notes or other summaries of the book, encyclopedias, etc. will fail the assignment.  Students plagiarizing any portion of this assignment (from a web site, the work of another student, etc.) will fail the assignment and the course.

TIPS ON STUDYING FOR QUIZZES AND EXAMS:

• No. 1 tip:  Do all of the assigned readings and take notes. 

• No. 2 tip:  Pay close attention in class during lectures and discussions.

Taking notes on reading assignments.

In general: 

• Write down your notes in a notebook (the truth is that highlighting is useless for most people). 
• Focus on the understanding main points (don't get lost in the details--you can go back and read again to catch those).
• After reading each section, answer the section focus questions in few sentences in your own words.
• ALWAYS take notes and answer questions in your own words!  If you must quote, put the quoted words in quotation marks!

To study for quizzes on the Coffin textbook:

• On the first page of every chapter,  there is a box with a set of "Focus Questions."  Each section in the chapter is organized around answering a question.  When you finish each section, write out an answer (in your own words!) to the relevant focus question.
• Each chapter has "boxed" primary source documents (usually in a grey box).  At the end of the document you will find "Questions for Analysis."  Write out answers to these questions in your own words.
• On the last page of each chapter, there is a list of key terms.  Each term is defined in the glossary at the end of the book.  Write out a short "definition" of each term (in your own words!) as it is used in the chapter.  Also, write down the page numbers where the term is discussed in the chapter.
• Periodically review your notes on the the textbook, including all of your answers to the study questions and definitions of key terms.
• If, when you review, you do not understand your own notes clearly, then go back to the textbook and read that section again.

Taking notes in class:

• Take notes in class!  Keep a separate notebook for this purpose.
• Write down the main outline points for the lecture and focus on understanding the main points. 
• Write down quick sentences that summarize the main points--don't try to quote me or write down every word.
• If I emphasize a particular date, person, place, or event, you should write down that "fact"--but be sure to make note of why it was important.
• DO NOT "read along" in the textbook while I lecture.  I am not reading the book to you; my lectures are my own.   Read the book on your own time.  If I notice that you reading the textbook (or highlighting, etc) while I lecture, I will treat it as if you were reading a newspaper or doing your math homework (see the link on disruptive behavior).
• After the lecture (don't wait too long!), use your notes to write out a more detailed summary of most important arguments made in class.
• Take notes on in-class discussions--those are important, too.
• Review your notes periodically.  If something in your notes is not absolutely clear to you, ask about it in class. 

Preparing for exams:

• I will give you possible exam questions a week or two before the midterm and final exams.  

• Make sure that you know exactly what the questions are asking you to do; you must answer the questions that were actually asked.

• The exams require that you answer based upon evidence from the readings and the lecture (both).

• Review your reading notes to find information relevant to those questions.

• Review your lecture notes to find information relevant to those questions.

• Think long and hard about the evidence in the readings and lectures and how it relates to each question.

• Write out detailed outlines for answering each question; in your outlines, summarize the relevant evidence from the readings and lectures.

• If your outlines are not absolutely clear, and if you are not certain that you understand the relevant evidence, review again.

• Study your outlines repeatedly before the exam.

Weekly schedule: 

This is a provisional schedule.  I may find it necessary to change the dates of some assignments during the semester, and I may at times run a bit ahead or behind the syllabus.

Week I:  T., 18 Jan.; Th., 20 Jan.

Introduction to the Course; The Diversity of 17th Century European Civilizations; The State in Early Modern Europe

Readings:  Coffin, Introduction to Part V (pp. 534-537) and all of Chapter 15.

Week II:  T., 25 Jan.; Th. 27 Jan.

The State in Early Modern Europe/ The Scientific Revolution

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 15 (review) and all of Chapter 16

                                                
Week III:  T., 1 Feb.; Th., 3 Feb.

Science and the Enlightenment

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 16 (review) and all of Chapter 17

QUIZ 1 this week on Coffin, chapters 15-17

Week IV:  T., 8 Feb.; Th., 10 Feb.

Early Modern European Society/ The French Revolution

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 17 (review) and all of Chapter 18

Week V:  T., 15 Feb.; Th., 17 Feb.

The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era

Readings:   Coffin, chapter 18 (review), Chapter 19 (pre-read)

Week VI:  T., 22 Feb.; Th., 24 Feb.

Post-Revolutionary Politics and Society, 1815-1847

Readings: Coffin, Chapter 19 (pre-read) and all of Chapter 20

QUIZ 2 this week on Coffin, Chapters 17-20.

Week VII:  T., 1 March; Th., 3 March

The Industrial Revolution and Social Change/  Midterm Exam THURSDAY

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 19 (re-read)

Week VIII:  Spring Break  (no class on 8, 10 March)

Week IX:  T., 15 March; Th., 17 March

The Revolutions of 1848

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 20 (review the section "Reform and Revolution"; Chapter 21 (section on "Nationalism and Revolution in 1848"); the rest of Chapter 21 (pre-read)

Week X:  T., 22 March; Th., 24 March

Mass Politics and Mass Society, 1850-1914  

Readings:  Coffin, all of Chapter 21 and all of Chapter 23; if you have not already, you should begin reading the Wells novel.

QUIZ 3 this week on Coffin, chapters 21 and chapter 23.

Pay special attention to the study questions in chapter 21 on "nationalism  and the revolutions of 1848" and on "national unification in Italy and Germany"; pay special attention in chapter 23 to the study questions on "mass politics" and "the impact of new scientific theories on culture." 

Week XI:  T., 29 March; Th., 31 March

 Imperialism, 1870-1914

Readings:  Coffin, all of Chapter 22; you must finish reading the Wells novel this week.

Week XII: T., 5 April; Th., 7 April

World War One

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 24.

Paper on H. G. Wells' The Time Machine due in class on Thursday.

Week XIII:  T., 12 April; Th., 14 April

The Russian Revolution

Readings:  Coffin, Chapter 24 (review); Chapter 25 (pre-read)

QUIZ 4 this week on Coffin, chapters 23-24                 

Week XIV:  T., 19 April; Th., 21 April

Fascism and Nazism

Readings:  Coffin, all of Chapter 25; chapter 26 (pre-read)

Week XV:  T., 26 April; Th., 28 April

World War Two and the immediate post-war era

Readings:  Coffin, all of Chapter 26, all of Chapter 27

QUIZ 5 this week, on linked lecture ntes about Russian Revolution/Sviet Union to 1939

_______________

Week XVI:  Final exam week = 2 May-6 May

Final exams:  Section 4:   Weds., 4 May at 12:30 in our classroom

                       Section 5:   Weds., 4 May at 10:15 in our classroom