History 12: Western Civilization II
Revolution and War in the West

Course Description:

This course explores the historical changes that have forged the "modern" western world. This course will introduce the main economic, social, political and cultural forces which shaped and reshaped European society and Europe's relationship to the world throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. We begin with the revolutions of the 18th century, in which people asserted their rights to govern themselves, and follow the successes and failures of those assertions. Topics include the rise of capitalism and the Industrial Revolution, such diverse political movements as absolutism, liberalism, socialism, and fascism; and major intellectual developments in which Europeans attempted to understand the nature and evolution of their own civilization such as the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and Freudian psychoanalysis.
Several key themes and questions will structure our study:
The creation of the modern state: the shift from dynasties to nation states, the rise of nationalism and imperialism, experiments in democracy, socialism, communism and fascism. Economic transformations and radical political ideologies. The secularization of culture and values. Struggles for freedom, human rights and equality.
This course is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills. Readings focus on primary texts including letters, speeches, diaries, literature, and political treatises. There will be a special focus on visual sources such as paintings, cartoons, photographs and film. We will investigate each piece of evidence closely in order to understand what it tells about the historical periods and issues we are studying. In analyzing these texts students will consider such questions as the following: What was the point of view of the author(s); what tone or feeling did the text evoke? Who was the intended audience? Are there any hidden messages - can we read between the lines? Whose story is being told, who was absent from the picture? What techniques (lighting, camera angles, close ups, etc.) did the artist/reformer/political activist use to emphasize their message? Secondary sources also play an important part in our exploration. What evidence is available to historians? How have historians interpreted evidence? Are their interpretations plausible? Compelling?
Four structured writing assignments are aimed at improving the students' ability to write clear, well-organized and persuasive prose. The first focuses on Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto, the second is based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front and the third is an essay based on Ignazio Silone's Fontamara. The final assignment will be an essay based on an oral history interview conducted by the student.

Required Texts:
Perry, Peden, Von Laue, Sources of the Western Tradition, From the Renaissance to the Present (Houghton Mifflin, 1999). The basis of our daily work in class will be these primary source documents and any supplementary sources in the packet. These documents will provide the issues for class discussion and are essential for in facilitating a deeper exploration of the historical problems under scrutiny. You are expected to read closely and to reflect on the documents before the class for which they are assigned. The source book and packet (and when appropriate Marx, Remarque, and Levi) must be brought to class every day.
McKay/Hill/Buckler: A History of Western Society
Referred to as TB.
Students should purchase the textbook at the bookstore as soon as possible. You are required to read one chapter per week. It is essential to keep up with the reading assignments, as they provide the foundation for lectures and discussions. Remember, the textbook is a mine of information and should be used as a reference.
Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto
Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front
Ignazio Silone, Fontamara

Requirements:
1) All reading assignments must be done before each class. Students are expected to attend all classes, raise questions and participate actively in discussions. Regular attendance is essential for understanding the material covered. This course is about reading, reflecting upon and analyzing evidence; there is no substitute for the work we do in class.
Class preparation and participation: 20 % of your grade.
2) Marx Writing Assignment: 10%
3) Remarque, Silone, and Oral History writing assignments: 50%
4) Final Exam: 20%
Assignments handed in late will be graded down.
You may miss up to three classes without penalty. More than three absences will adversely affect your class participation grade, and more than seven absences will mean automatic failure of the course.

Plagiarism and Cheating: In my courses all students are responsible for adhering to a certain standard of behavior when it comes to honesty and plagiarism. I expect each individual to hold fast to these standards so that every member of the class knows thaht his or her work is being held to an equal standard. If one student cheats, all students in the class suffer. Even worse, however, is the fact that the student who cheats is hurting him or herself. When you are cheating, you are not learning and the reason you are here is to learn.
In addition to my own high expectations when it comes to academic honesty, Hofstra also expects students to demonstrate a high code of personal honor when it comes to academic work. Official penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and result in your dismissal from Hofstra. I regularly check papers for plagiarism and have caught several students in the past. If you are unsure what plagiarism is, please consult your student handbook or speak to me.