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HIST 2302: History of Civilization II: Course Description
HIST 2302: History of Civilization II: Course Description
HIST 2302: History of Civilization II: Course Description
Course Description
Modern Europe between about 1500 and the middle of the twentieth century, beginning with
Luther and the Reformation and up to the period of the Cold War, is the focus of this course.
While this course places special emphasis on the great ideas that characterize western thought,
the course will be supplemented with a balanced treatment of political, social, and cultural
history. Students will be introduced to the main ideas and general concepts underlying such
topics as industrialization, revolution, nationalism, imperialism and socialism. Though the course
will seek to examine the significance of human agency within historical processes, it does not
exclude the circumstance and conditions from which individual and collective ideas and actions
emerged. We will see, further, that historical processes are not inevitable, that alternatives have
been and are possible. The course is reading intensive and its main objective is to provide the
student with basic historical literacy and a general understanding of techniques and trends in
historical study.
The two Perry texts will serve as primary textbooks: Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and
Society, vol. 2 is a general introductory text narrative that will provide a basis for lectures. There
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may be the possibility for students to rent copies of the book from the campus bookstore; but, if
you wish to purchase your book online, make sure to get only the ninth edition. Previous editions
may not conform to reading materials assigned in the syllabus. The Perry Sources of Western
Tradition is a collection of primary sources. And here too, make sure to get only the seventh
edition. There is in addition one paperback book: Elie Wiesels Night. Readings that are in your
syllabus, but not found in the above list, are available over the library course reserves. All
readings in the syllabus are required.
This course is primarily based on lectures, but there will still be plenty of opportunity for class
discussion. The student is expected to have read the assigned texts before coming to class. The
grade for participation (10%) is based on more than just merely showing up for class. Thus a
precondition for a satisfactory participation grade is active AND informed discussion. Laptops
are allowed in class but only for the purpose of taking notes.
There will be three Exams (20% each) during the semester and a fourth exam (30%) will serve
as the final. The final is not comprehensive and will follow the same format as the other three
exams. Part I of each exam will consist of 30 multiple choice questions (30%), part II will
consist of 8 short ID questions (40%), usually requiring descriptions or definitions of issues or
concepts discussed in class; and part III will be an essay question (30%). In writing the essay,
students will adhere to the standard requirements of formal essay composition.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of all classes. I will not drop students for excessive
absences. However, please be reminded that participation counts for 10% of your final grade.
Students are responsible for dropping a course before the cut-off date for drops. Last day to drop
courses: Friday, April 1, 2011.
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Academic Integrity
It is the philosophy of the university that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable
mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic
dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, submission for credit of
any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, will be subject to
discipline in accordance with university regulations and procedures.
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter
of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 The Rehabilitation Act of
1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With
Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed
focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you
connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning
assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and
federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially
should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information
and appropriate referrals.
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Schedule of classes
Week 1
Jan. 18 Introduction
Week 10
March 22 Building of Nation States: Unification of Italy and Unification of Germany
Perry, Western Civilization, chapter 25
Perry, Sources of Western Tradition, Chapter 6, section 4
(Mazzini), chapter 8, section 5 & 6, chapter 11, section 1
(Treitschke)
March 31
The Culture of War
Rouzeau/Becker, 14-18: Understanding the Great War.
(course reserves)
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Week 12
April 5 The Fall of Tsarism and the Russian Revolution
Perry, Western Civilization, Chapter 29, 734-739
Perry, Sources of Western Tradition, chapter 11, all of sec. 7
Week 13
April 12 EXAM 3
April 28 Holocaust I
Stackelberg, Roderick, Hitlers Germany, 254-274 (course reserves)
Week 16
May 3 Holocaust II
Elie Wiesel, Night
Browning, Christopher, One Day in Jozefow, in Nazism and German
Society, 300-315. (course reserves)