HST 3320:
MODERN EUROPE,
1789-1989


This course in an introductory survey of major developments in European society from the French Revolution to the fall of the Berlin Wall. We will examine the sometimes dramatic changes in politics, economics and social life which took place over these two hundred years. Our geographical focus is on the three major powers during the modern period: England, France and Germany. Our topical focus is on industrialization, modernization, democratization and imperialism in the nineteenth century, and on mass society, totalitarianism, war and the welfare state in the twentieth century.

The class combines lectures with regular discussions. Students will be expected each week to read a selection of short primary sources documents addressing the course topics. Over the course of the semester they will also read two longer autobiographical works.

REQUIRED TEXTS (available at Off-Campus Books):

Marvin Perry et al., Sources of the Western Tradition Vol. 2
Jakob Walter, The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier

and one of the following authors:

Emilie Carles, A Life of Her Own
Siegfried Knappe, Soldat
Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

Birdsall S. Viault, Modern European History

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Class attendance and preparation; weekly readings; one 2-3 page paper; mid-term; one 4-5 page paper; final.

NOTE:
-- More than three absences, persistent tardiness, or failure to participate in scheduled discussions will lower your final grade.
-- Late assignments will NOT be accepted.
L = lecture D = discussion R = recommended reading
January 13: L: Introduction
L: The French Revolution
[R: Chapter 14]
January 20: UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY: NO CLASS
January 27: L: Napoleon
L: Reactions to the French Revolution
[R: Chapters 15, 16 & 21]
February 3: D: Sources Chapter 4 & 6 (2 & 3)
L: The Industrial Revolution [R: Chapter 20]
February 10: L: Changing Ideas of Science & Politics
[R: Chapters 18, 21, 22 & 26]
DUE: 2-3 page paper on Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier
February 17: D: Sources Chapters 5 & 7 (2-5)
L: Nationalism & Imperialism
[R: Chapters 16, 23 & 27]
February 24: L: A Changing Society
[R: Chapters 24 & 25]
D: Sources Chapters 6 (4-6) & 8
March 3: IN-CLASS MIDTERM EXAMINATION
SPRING BREAK
March 17: L: World War One
[R: Chapters 28 & 29]
D: Sources Chapter 10
March 24: L: The Bolshevik Revolution
L: The Growth of Fascism
[R: Chapters 30, 31 & 32]
March 31: L: The Democracies between the Wars
[Chapters 33 & 34]
D: Sources Chapters 11 (1-5) & 12 (1-7)
April 7: L: World War Two
[Chapters 35]
DUE: 4-5 page paper on autobiography of your choice
April 14: L: The Cold War [Chapter 36]
D: Sources Chapters 11 (6-7) & 12 (8-12)
April 21: L: Western Europe in the 1950s & 60s
L: Western Europe in the 1970s & 80s
[R: Chapter 37 & 39]
April 28: D: Sources Chapter 13
L: Change in Eastern Europe
[R: Chapter 38]
May 5: IN-CLASS FINAL EXAMINATION