Western Civilization II
History 201
Joe Bell
MTTH 8:00-9:05
Fall 2015
This course surveys the history of the West (primarily Europe) from 1648 A.D. to the present.
We will primarily focus on the social, political, cultural, and intellectual aspects of this period.
About a third of our time will be spent examining the early modern period up to the French
Revolution, the next third of the course will examine the early modern period between the
French Revolution and the First World War, and the last third of our time will be spent studying
the 20th Century since WWI.
Books:
James Brophy, et al, Perspectives from the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilizations, Vol.
2, 3rd Edition
Judith Coffin, et al, Western Civilizations, vol.II, 17th edition (Main Textbook)
Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz (Touchstone Reprint edition)
Emile Zola, Germinal (Penguin Classics edition)
Reading: The textbook for the course is Judith Coffin, et al, Western Civilizations, vol. II, 17th
edition. I will also distribute additional articles, excerpts, and primary sources for you to read
throughout the semester. The reading should be done the same week that it is assigned; you will
have a much better understanding of the lectures and learn far more details if you do so.
For both Germinal and Survival in Auschwitz you will be asked to reflect upon each book by
answering questions that I provide. We will also devote some class time to discuss your
responses to each work.
Grading: Your grade will be determined by the combined scores of the following assignments:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Reflective assignment on Germinal 10%
Reflective assignment on Survival in Auschwitz 10 %
Research Paper 30%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final exam 30%
Exams:
There will be two exams: a mid-term and a final. Together they will account for 50% of your
grade. Both exams will consist of a few terms that you will need to identify/describe as well as
an essay. You will NOT be allowed to use notes during these exams so it is imperative that you
study in advance if you hope to do well. I will provide a study guide at least two weeks prior to
each exam. Make-ups for exams will only be allowed in cases involving exceptional
circumstances and arrangements must be made with me prior to the date that the exam is
scheduled to be taken. No exams will be given earlier than the scheduled exam date.
Research Paper:
Each student will be required to write an eight-to-ten page research paper that will account for
20% of their grade. Students will get to choose the topic for their paper, but they must get
instructor approval. Topic requests must be submitted to the instructor (in writing) no later than
Thursday, Oct. 29th. The final paper will be due on Thursday, Dec. 10th. Late papers will be
marked down one whole grade per day that they are late. I will not accept papers that are more
than three days late.
Classroom Behavior:
Any behavior that is rude, disrespectful, or disruptive to the learning environment will not be
tolerated. Also, the use of electronic devices during class is prohibited (this includes laptops—
exceptions will be allowed, however, to accommodate disabilities). Students who can not adhere
to these behavioral expectations will be dropped from the class.
Academic Integrity:
Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Any student found to be in violation of
this policy will receive “no credit” for the assignment in question and, depending on the severity
of the offense, may also be dropped from the class entirely. Thus it is imperative that students do
their own work and give credit to (i.e., properly cite within all written assignments) ideas,
passages, quotes, etc. that are not their own. For more information regarding this policy, please
see the Mendocino College website at: www.mendocino.edu/admissions/policies-andregulations/academic-honesty-guidelines
Attendance:
Attendance is crucial for one to be successful in this class and therefore I expect all students
to make every effort to attend each class.
Class Schedule:
We will endeavor to adhere as strictly as possible to the following schedule. Nevertheless, there
may be changes implemented at the instructor’s discretion.
Week 1
Mon
Introductions/Review syllabus/ What is Western Civ.?
Tue
Absolutism
Thur
Alternatives to Absolutism-Great Britain and the Netherlands
Reading: Coffin, ch. 15
Week 2
Mon
New World Colonization
Tue
The Scientific Revolution
Thur
The Enlightenment
Reading: Coffin, ch. 16
Week 3
Mon
The Enlightenment (continued)
Tue
The French Revolution
Thur French Revolution (continued)
Reading: Coffin, ch. 17
Week 4
Mon
No Class!
Tue
Napoleon
Thur
Napoleon (continued)
Reading: Coffin, ch. 18
Week 5
Mon
The Industrial Revolution
Tue
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Thur
The Bourgeoisie and the Working Class
Reading: Coffin, ch. 19 & Zola, Germinal (have finished by Sept. 21)
Week 6
Mon
Discuss Germinal/Congress of Vienna
Tue
19th Century Ideologies
Thur
19th Century Revolutions
Reading: Coffin, ch.20
Week 7
Mon
Romanticism
Tue
German and Italian Unification
Thur
(Realism and 19th Century Intellectual Thought)
Reading: Coffin, ch. 21
Week 8
Mon
Imperialism
Tue
Imperialism
Thur
Imperialism
Reading: Coffin, ch. 22
Week 9
Mon
Mid Term Exam!
Tue
Turn-of-the-Century Europe
Thur
Anti Semitism and the Zionist Movement
Reading: Coffin, ch. 23
Week 10
Mon
WWI
Tue
WWI
Thur
WWI (Research Paper Proposals due!)
Reading: Coffin, ch. 24
Week 11
Mon
The Russian Revolution
Tue
Stalin
Thur
Interwar Europe
Reading: Coffin, ch.25
Week 12
Mon
Fascism in Italy Nazi Germany
Tue
Hitler and the rise of the Nazis
Thur
Movie: Triumph of The Will/Nazis (continued)
Reading: to be determined
Week 13
Mon
WWII
Tue
WWII
Thur The Holocaust
Reading: Coffin, ch. 26 & Levi, Survival in Auschwitz (have finished by Nov. 30)
Week 14
Mon
Book Discussion-Survival in Auschwitz
Tue
Cold War
Thur
Cold War
Reading: Coffin, ch. 27
Week 15
Mon
Post-War social and cultural developments
Tue
Collapse of Communism
Thur
Research Papers Due/Globalization
Reading: Coffin, ch. 28
Week 16
Mon
Contemporary Issues
Tue
Contemporary Issues (continued)
Thur
Final Exam!
Reading: Coffin, ch.29