HIST 122: Western Civilization II

Spring 2003
Course Description and Schedule

Section 025, 12:30-1:45 TTh, CH 118

Mr Lehmann
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 TTh
East Hall 210, 677-5573, clehmann@usd.edu
[http://www.usd.edu/~clehmann]

This is the second of a two-part survey of Western Civilization and introduces students to some of the leading figures, ideas, and events of the modern world. It also exposes students to the concerns and methods of historical inquiry through lectures, analysis and discussion of selected texts, and writing of short papers.  The goal of this course is for the student not only to acquire historical information but also to learn through example (lectures, textbook) and practice (discussions, essay examinations, papers) a historical/critical method of thought and expression.

Students must read all assignments, attend every lecture, take notes, participate in discussions, and secure this syllabus and all handouts--which contain chronological and geographical background to the lectures and readings--from the instructor's web page. In addition, each student writes five mini-themes of one to two pages. Students who expect to miss more than three meetings should see the instructor within the first week. A set of study questions, also available on-line, will assist the student preparing for examinations.

The first midterm exam takes place 13 Feb, covering parts seven and eight of the course, another 27 Mar, covering parts nine through ten, and the final exam 9 May, covering part eleven. Exams consist of one long and a choice of two out of three short essay questions; the final exam includes a comprehensive essay question. Each student will write a mini-theme on a choice of suggested topics for each reading due on the assigned date during discussion of the topics. The first and second midterms count 50 points each, the final 75, and the mini-themes 100 points (20 points each), for a total of 275 possible points.

275-248
247-220
219-193
192-165
164-

A
B
C
D
F

Students who wish to arrange another method of evaluation should see the instructor within the first two weeks. By all means consult the Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Grade in Humanities.

Required Books

Recommended Book

Kate L Turabian. A Manual for Writers. 6th ed. Chicago: Univ of Chicago Press, 1996.  0226816273

The Mini-Themes on Required Readings

Each mini-theme should be between 250 and 500 words long (one to two pages), typewritten or carefully handwritten. It can earn up to 20 points as follows: 10 points for content (clarity of argument, familiarity with the work), 5 points for style (grammar, spelling, use of words), and 5 points for care in presentation. The instructor will return essays with special problems for rewriting. Try to work a week in advance; your instructor will gladly evaluate and mark up your first clean draft and return it to you for rewriting in time for the final submission.

Unless you make special arrangements in advance or have a medical or family emergency, you must participate in the discussion in order to receive credit for a given paper.

As you read the assignments keep all the suggested topics in mind and take notes. Then pick one topic and answer it carefully and concisely. Feel free to consult with fellow students and with your instructor as you prepare the assignments, but the result must be entirely your own. Be particularly careful to avoid plagiarism; you must give references for every idea or quotation you borrow as you construct your argument and you must enclose quotations in quotation marks.  The instructor will drop with a failing grade any student who violates this basic principle of academic honesty.

See Turabian, Manual for Writers, for the proper way to indicate references. At the head of your paper write the title and your name and staple your sheets together.

A. Webster's Duchess of Malfi (21 January)

B. De Sévigné's Letters, 55-175 (4 Feb)

C. Swift's Gulliver's Travels (27 Feb)

D. Ibsen's Doll House (18 Mar)

E. De Beauvoir, The Second Sex, xix-xlii, 1-198, 253-63,  679-732 (30 Apr)

Schedule

Click here for chronology sheet.

Click here for study guides.

9 Jan

Introduction: What is the Modern World?

Part 7: Absolutism and Enlightenment [Spielvogel chs 15-18]

14 Jan

Introduction and Chronology (bring chronology sheet)

16 Jan

Absolutism in France and Germany

21 Jan

The English Exception
Discussion: Webster, Duchess of Malfi

23 Jan

The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment

Part 8: The Age of Revolutions [Spielvogel chs 19-20]

28Jan

Introduction and Chronology (bring chronology sheet)

30 Jan

The French Revolution and Its Consequences

4 Feb

Discussion: De Sévigné's Letters
The Industrial Revolution and Its Consequences

6 Feb

Nineteenth Century Economics

11 Feb

Slides: Early Modern Art and Architecture

13 Feb

First Midterm Examination

Part 9: A Century of Ideas [Spielvogel chs 21-23]

18 Feb

Introduction and Chronology (bring chronology sheet)

20 Feb

Liberalism and Nationalism

25 Feb

Socialism and Democracy

27 Feb

New Directions in Thought and Science
Disc: Swift, Gulliver's Travels

11 Mar

Imperialism

Part 10: Turn of the Century [Spielvogel chs 24-25]

13 Mar

Introduction and Chronology (bring chronology sheet)

18 Mar Bismarck's Germany
Disc: Ibsen, Doll House

20 Mar

World War I

25 Mar

The Russian Revolution

27 Mar

Second Midterm Examination

Part 11: The Twentieth Century [Spielvogel chs26-29]

1 Apr

Introduction and Chronology (bring chronology sheet)

3 Apr No Class

8 Apr

Totalitarianism

10 Apr

World War II

15Apr

Postwar Tensions: The Cold War

22 Apr

The Third World

24 Apr

No Class: Student History Conference

30 Apr

Discussion: De Beauvoir, The Second Sex

1 May

The Postmodern World; Slides

Thur 9 May, 12:30-2:30 PM: Final Examination