DR. STARKS
WESTERN CIVILIZATION - HISTORY 1013
FALL 2009
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to introduce some of the most
influential political, economic, social, and cultural issues of the last four
centuries of western history. Starting with the ideas of the scientific
revolution and enlightenment, students will be exposed to the philosophies,
disciplines, and technologies that have come to make up our conception of
modern, industrial, and western, as well as the political relationships that have
defined
Required Texts:
Hunt, et. al. The Making of the West: People’s and Cultures: A Concise History Volume II: Since 1340.
Voltaire, Candide (Also available online)
Achebe, Things Fall Apart
Spiegelman, The Complete Maus
Course Requirements:
Participation and quizzes:
This class will incorporate student discussion on an almost daily basis. Attendance, preparation, and participation will be weighed heavily in the grade. There will be four quizzes with dates noted in the syllabus -- one map quiz, the terms of which will be handed out in class, and three reading quizzes (one over each book). In addition, students are expected to attend lecture and participate in class discussion. Quizzes, attendance, and preparation will account for 20% of the final grade.
Exams:
There will be two examinations. The first will account for 20% of the final grade. The second examination will account for 30% of the final grade. If the student will be unable to attend a test, they must inform the instructor BEFORE the class period and must schedule a make-up within two weeks’ time of the examination date.
Paper:
Students will be expected to write one 3-5 page paper based on either the Voltaire or Achebe novel in answer to a question which will be distributed in lecture. The paper accounts for 30% of the course grade and is due at the beginning of class on the day of discussion.
The paper must follow the five-paragraph format. Please consult the paper writing guide for further details.
Late papers will be penalized a full letter grade for every day late.
Plagiarism:
Stealing the words or
thoughts of another and presenting them as your own (plagiarism) is a serious
offense. Plagiarism will be dealt with severely and may result in a failing
grade for the course.
Papers written on topics
other than that assigned will not be accepted.
Grievance Policy:
If unhappy with a grade, a student must submit to the instructor approximately one page detailing why s/he feels the assignment was not graded correctly, along with the graded assignment, at which time the instructor will set up an appointment to discuss the grievance.
Students must submit grievances within one week of the assignment’s return to the general class.
Inclement weather policy:
If Fayetteville Public Schools cancel class due to bad weather, this class will not meet.
Further notes:
Students with disabilities should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities to find out about their rights and their obligations.
The instructor reserves the right to change
the syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class (they may not appear on
this site) and are the responsibility of the student.
Note:
Those items which are presented with READ in front of them are required for class.
All LINKS are for amusement only and not required for class.
WEEK ONE:
August 25: Traditional Society and the Wars of Religion
READ Hunt, Chapter
12
August 27: Constitutionalism
READ Hunt, Chapter
13
WEEK TWO:
September 1: Absolutism
LINKS Walk
a day in Louis XIV’s heels.
September 3: Age of Discovery
MAP QUIZ
WEEK THREE:
September 8: Scientific Revolution
READ Hunt, Chapter
14
LINKS The indictment of
Galileo
September 10: Ideas of the Enlightenment
READ Hunt, Chapter 15
WEEK FOUR:
September 15: Enlightened Despotism in Europe and
September 17: Candide Book Quiz and Discussion
READ Voltaire all
CANDIDE
BOOK QUIZ
WEEK FIVE:
September 22: French Revolution
READ Hunt, Chapter
16
LINKS Eye-witness accounts of the Revolution.
or Sing along with the Marseillaise.
September 24: Napoleon and the Congress of
LINKS The
Napoleon Internet Guide
WEEK SIX:
September 29: The Industrial Revolution
READ Hunt, Chapter
17
October 1: Liberalism and Conservatism
WEEK SEVEN:
October 6: Romanticism, Nationalism, and 1848
October 8: Socialism and Communism
WEEK EIGHT:
October 13: TBA
October 15:
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
WEEK NINE:
October 20:
READ Hunt, Chapter
18, 19
October 22: Imperialism in Theory and Practice
WEEK TEN:
October 27: Achebe Book Quiz and Discussion
Achebe ALL
October 29: WWI
READ Hunt, Chapter
20
WEEK ELEVEN:
November 3: The Russian Revolution
November 5: The Rise of Hitler and Fall of
READ Hunt, Chapter
21
LINKS Nazi Propaganda Archive
WEEK TWELVE:
November 10: The Eastern Front
LINKS Battle of Britain
November 13: TBA
WEEK THIRTEEN:
November 17: The Holocaust
LINKS The United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum; The Wannsee
Conference
November 19: Maus Book Quiz and Discussion
Spiegelman all
MAUS BOOK QUIZ
WEEK FOURTEEN:
November 24: Western Front
November 26:
FALL BREAK
WEEK FIFTEEN:
December 1: Post-War
READ Hunt, Chapter
22
LINKS The
December 3: Cold War
and the Collapse of Communism
READ Hunt, Chapter
23, 24
WEEK SIXTEEN:
December 8: TBA
December 9:
DEAD DAY
FINAL
December 14, 10-12