HCC
NW
Town & Country Square
H
HIISST
T22331122
W
Weesstteerrnn C
Ciivviilliizzaattiioonnss ttoo 11550000
Mission Statement
The Houston Community College System is an open-admission, public institution of higher education
offering academic preparation, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare individuals in our diverse
communities for life and work in an increasingly international and technological society. The Northwest
History Department will provide an environment conducive to learning and encourages academic
excellence. Furthermore, the History faculty will encourage the development of the following
competencies: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Critical Thinking, and Computer Literacy.
Description & Goals
This is an in-depth, intensive examination of modern European history through the lens of popular culture
(movies, television, and music). Throughout, emphasis will be placed on techniques of historical
reasoning, analysis and college-level writing and thus the goals of this course are to help you enhance your
critical thinking skills, become better writers, improve your computer literacy, and have a better
understanding of history-specific research techniques, facilities, and databases.
ADA Statement
HCC-Northwest is committed to removing barriers that prohibit students with disabilities from achieving
their educational objectives. Any student who has an impairment that substantially limits a major life
activity, has a history of, or is regarded as having such a disability, is eligible for reasonable
accommodations. This includes students with learning disabilities, those who are physically challenged
because of disease or an accident, those with mental illness, and those with a myriad of other
circumstances. Specific procedures have been established to enable students with a documented disability
to request modifications or accommodations which would allow them equal access to the college. Dr.
Nancy Russell is the college’s ADA Counselor and she may be reached at 713-718-5708. Or, you may
contact Judy Sutton, judy.sutton@hccs.edu, tel: (713) 718-5667, fax: (713) 718-5650 or tty: (713) 7185697, or visit the website at http://nwc.hccs.edu/services/counseling/accommodations/index.html for more
information.
PLAGIARISM & CHEATING
There is no greater academic sin than plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. In the case of
plagiarism or other forms of cheating, you will receive an F in the course. Please read the information
under “Academic Honesty” in my Learning Web site (see address below) and submit the plagiarism
assignment to my no later than 10pm on Friday, September 1st. Send them to me as a Word (.doc)
attachment in an email using “Plagiarism Assignment – Western Civ” as your Subject Line. Completion
of this assignment will result in one (1) point being added to your total points at the end of the semester.
This will be the only form of “extra credit” and please do ask for an extension (see my LATE POLICY
below). Even if you do not submit the assignment in time to receive the additional point, you are still
required to submit the assignment to me before I will grade any of your work.
1
“Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!”
-Dr Strangelove (1964)
DROP POLICY
You are responsible for dropping this course. If you do not wish to receive a grade then you must drop the
class before the college’s drop date.
“Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC
and other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are
not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study
habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and
opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.”
COURSE SPECIFICS
Instructor:
J. Ross-Nazzal, Ph.D.
Office:
Town & Country AD1B (near the Art Gallery)
Office Hours:
Immediately before and after class, or by appointment
I will respond to email and phone messages each class day.
Email:
james.rossnazzal@hccs.edu
Phone:
713-718-5818
Website:
http://learning.nwc.hccs.edu/members/james.rossnazzal
Required texts:
Coffin, Judith, et al. Western Civilizations, Volume II, 15th edition (WW
Norton)
ISBN 0393925377
Brophy, James, et al. Perspectives from the Past, Volume II, 3rd edition
(WW Norton) ISBN 0393925706
Elsaesser, Thomas. Metropolis (University of California Press) ISBN 085170777
Poiger, Uta. Jazz, Rock, and Rebels: Cold War Politics (University of California
Press) ISBN 0520211391
Storey, William. Writing History: A Guide for Students (Oxford University Press)
ISBN 0195166094
Electronic Sources: Modern History Sourcebook
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook60.html
Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/
“World History” http://www.hccs.edu/system/library/articles/subject/history.htm
Attendance. Life is too short to repeat in lecture what is available to you in the textbooks, thus relentless
attendance is required. In addition, this course relies on student participation and thus if you are the type
of student who is not prepared to be in class every day, please do not take this class. If you miss a few
hours you truly miss a lot because the lectures are tightly integrated. In other words, you will have a harder
time understanding later lectures if you miss the earlier ones, which means that you will have a difficult
time doing well (i.e., passing).
While I lecture, watch the movies and television shows, and listen to music you need to take copious and
meaningful notes. Please do not just jot down the few words that appear on the PowerPoint slides as those
are merely the most generalized outline and I place them there usually to keep me on track. You should
take meaningful notes during the lectures because you will be able to use your lecture notes when you take
the exams, provided that: 1) the notes are written (no typed notes unless you happen to use a laptop in
class); 2) the notes are in your handwriting (no photo copies); and, 3) the notes are dated for each lecture.
Finally, do not arrive late and do not leave early as those are disruptions to class and thus will not be
tolerated.
2
No Cell Phones. I will not interrupt the class by answering, text-messaging, or otherwise checking my cell
phone and thus neither will you. Please turn off all phones, pagers, Blackberries, PDAs, or anything that
could buzz, click, chirp, carry a tune, make a noise, or otherwise interrupt the class.
“It’s a mad house . . . a mad house!” –Planet of the Apes (1968)
Participation. Daily participation is required (and you are even graded on your responses, or lack
thereof). Please come to class on time and prepared to discuss the readings with your colleagues and
myself. If any holidays, parties, work, vacations, or secular or religious responsibilities prevent you from
completing the work when it is due, please do not take this class as I do not negotiate assignments or due
dates nor do I give Incompletes.
Grading. As there are many different styles of learning, there are many different types of graded
assessments this semester and they include: Short Writing Exercises, Movie Analyses, Discussions,
Exams, and a Pop Culture Project. All written work will be submitted using Times New Roman, 12 font,
with standard margins (between 1 and 1.5 inches depending on which version of Word you use).
Short Writing Exercises. The actual assignments are located in the classroom section of my Learning
Website. Please see the folder “Short Writing Assignments.” Please review my policy on plagiarism and
cheating before starting this assessment. These assignments are created to help you develop your critical
thinking skills, your writing skills, and your academic web skills. Ten (10) times throughout the semester
you are tasked with using the documents in the Brophy text, from my website, and in other electronic
databases to draft one page (minimum) descriptions, analyses, and meanings of culture. Remember,
grammar, spelling, organization, analysis, and content all contribute to the grade, so be sure to proofread
before submitting. You need to use formal writing (no slang, contractions, or colloquialisms, for
example). Make sure to use the spell and grammar check programs before submitting your assignments to
the class. Each short writing assignment must at least one full and complete page in length. Please attach a
cover page to each assignment that includes: Class, Assignment, and Your Name. Please email me your
assignment as a Word (.doc) attachment no later than 10pm on the day each assignment is due. In the
subject line of the email please follow this model: Class/Assignment/Your Name. As in “Hist
2312/SWA1/Jim Ross-Nazzal”. Each assignment is worth 20 points, thus this assignment is collectively
worth 200 points or 20% of your final grade.
Movie Analyses: This assessment is designed to help you sharpen your history writing and critical
thinking skills thus you will rely heavily on the Storey guide to assist you. We will watch and discuss in
class at least one movie per exam and thus your two-page (minimum) analyses will focus on the historical
grounding found in your textbook and document book (use the same citation method as above) by using
the new history writing skills you learn in the Storey guide. Each of your four analyses will address as
many or as few of these questions as you would like and depending on the subject(s) of each movie: 1)
What aspects of the movie are an accurate portrayal of history?; 2) What aspects of the movie are
influenced by the period in which the movie was made?; 3) What does the movie say about gender?; 4)
How does the movie portray race?; 5) Is the movie more positive or more negative in its portrayal of
culture?; and, 6) How does the director/producer/actor(s) effect the movie’s portrayal of historical events?
Be thorough, complete, and insightful in your responses because you will be allowed to use your analyses
to assist you in completing each exam. Please attach a cover sheet in accordance with the directions
above. Each analysis is due when you take each exam. Each analysis is worth 50 points, thus this part is
collectively worth 20% of your final grade.
Exams. There are four Exams this semester: Exam I covers chapters15-17, Exam II covers chapters 18-21,
Exam III covers 22-26, and Exam IV covers chapters 27-29 in the Civilization and Perspectives books, as
3
well as the lectures, videos, and handouts. Each exam will consist of a series of Identifications, NonCumulative Essays, and a Cumulative Essay. Each Exam is worth 50 points or collectively 200 points and
20% of your final grade. Each exam will focus on the people and events that affected popular culture
while also helping you to place those people and events in the larger historical picture.
“Here I am, rock you like a hurricane.” –The Scorpions (1984)
Discussions. Ten times over the semester we will discuss the major aspects of the films, television shows,
music, and the readings from the Story guide, Civilizations, and the Perspectives texts in a rather loose
Socratic manner. Your participation is worth 20 points each week, for a cumulative total of 200 points or
20% of your final grade.
Final Project. The 20th century had a profound effect on Europe, especially from the Great War through
the Cold War. Using the Elsaesser and Poiger texts, you will select one subfield of popular culture
(gender, “monsters,” youth, militarism, religion, nuclear war, etc.) and research how that one aspect is
addressed over time starting with the release of Metropolis and ending with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Draft a five-page response using formal writing rules, TNR, 12 font, with normal margins. Please use the
Chicago Manual of Style or the Turabian method for citations. Supported by multimedia (PowerPoint,
video clips, songs, clips from television shows, etc.), you will offer a 15 minute oral presentation to the
class. Half of your grade will come from your oral presentation and the other half will come from your
paper. This assignment is worth 200 points (20% of your final grade).
Late Work. I do not accept late work –please do not ask me to accept work after the due date/time
has passed. The ultimate responsibility of each student is to prevent anyone and any thing from getting in
the way of submitting your work on time.
Missed Assignments. I do not offer make-up assignments.
Grade Scale: Percentage
100-90
89-80
79-70
69-60
Points
1000-900
899-800
799-700
699-600
Grade
A
B
C
D
Grades. The grade of A reflects excellence. The A work offers a well-focused and organized discussion
appropriate to the instructor's assignment, reflects critical use of relevant materials, and demonstrates
effective and formal writing requirements. Work must demonstrate outstanding efforts to identify varied
pertinent sources, to employ those materials critically in the text of the papers, and to provide error-free
citations of those resources.
The grade of B represents an effort beyond satisfactory and indicates the work was completed in an
appropriate and competent manner and, in general, demonstrates a strong attempt at original and critical
analysis, writing, and research. The B paper may contain a number of minor errors of grammar or citation,
and its thesis or its conclusions may be undeveloped or too weakly supported.
The grade of C indicates that the work was done in a satisfactory or appropriate fashion and represents the
average work expected for university courses. In order to obtain a C grade, your work must adhere to all
of the assignment’s requirements. The presentation is organized around a central idea with arguments
supported by relevant examples. The work is structured into correctly written paragraphs and sentences.
4
Although fulfilling the assignment, the C work may exhibit one or more weaknesses including, but not
limited to, errors of punctuation and grammar, imprecise or incorrect word use, inaccurate or uncritical
use of materials, occasional inconsistency of organization or development, and lack of direct relevance of
the selected research materials to the topic.
“So why don't you use it? Try not to bruise it.” – Duran Duran (1983)
The grade of D indicates that the work may have a poorly defined topic or thesis, lack clear focus or
organization, and contain unsupported generalizations or conclusions. Research support is inadequate, not
clearly relevant, or improperly documented. A less-than-minimal research effort is evident. The work may
also suffer from numerous or major formal writing errors.
The grade of F indicates that the work is not clearly relevant to the assignment and that its topic and thesis
are poorly focused or defined. The work may display inadequate organization or development,
unsupported generalizations, and nonstandard formal features (including language usage, sentence
structure, paragraphing, and so on). Research support (citations) is absent, inadequate, or irrelevant to the
assignment.
Extra Credit. Please complete all assignments when they are due and in accordance with all instructions
and you will not need extra credit. Nevertheless, I do offer additional learning opportunities. Please see
the “Additional Assignments” folder of the Hist 2312 section of my Learning Web site.
A Final Thought on Grades – Getting good grades is easy. All you have to do is to keep up with the
readings, “attend” class with a tenacity of purpose, take full and complete notes as you read, review your
notes on a daily basis, and put forth your most concerted efforts on all class assignments. No one has more
control over your grades than yourselves. You will do well (i.e., pass) if you decided that studying is what
is important and if you take the necessary steps to do well. What is most important to you? If it is not this
class in particular and your education in general then you need to consider your options. Ultimately, you
are responsible. If any holidays, parties, work, vacations, family obligations, legal concerns, or secular or
religious responsibilities prevent you from completing the work when it is due, please do not take this
class as I do not negotiate assignments or due dates nor do I give Incompletes.
5
Week
Topic/Assignment
Read/Due
Aug 28
Absolutism
Coffin, Chs. 15
Brophy, pp. 195, 209, 231
SWA 1 (Wed)
Discussion 1 (Wed)
Sep 04
Scientific Revolution
Coffin, Ch. 16
Brophy, pp. 248, 264, 282
SWA 2 (Wed)
Discussion 2 (Wed)
Sep 11
The Enlightenment
Coffin, Ch. 17
Brophy, pp. 323, 328, 332
Movie Analysis I (Wed)
EXAM I (Wed)
Sep 18
French Revolution
Coffin, Ch. 18
Brophy, pp. 368, 372, 374
SWA 3 (Wed)
Discussion 3 (Wed)
Sep 25
Industrial Revolution
Coffin, Ch. 19
Brophy, pp. 412, 435, 443
Discussion 4 (Mon)
SWA 4 (Wed)
No class – Work on your next Movie Analysis (Wed)
Oct 02
Revolution and State-Building
Coffin, Chs. 20-21
Brophy, pp. 461, 480, 487, 489
Movie Analysis II
EXAM II (Wed)
Oct 09
Imperialism
Coffin, Ch. 22
Brophy, pp. 553, 558, 566, 568
SWA 5 (Wed)
Discussion 5 (Wed)
6
Oct 16
Towards War
Coffin, Ch. 23
Brophy, pp. 579, 582, 607
SWA 6 (Wed)
Discussion 6 (Wed)
Oct 23
The Great War
Coffin, Ch. 24
Brophy, pp. 628, 643, 646
SWA 7 (Wed)
Discussion 7 (Wed)
Oct 30
A New World Order?
Coffin, Ch. 25
Brophy, pp. 668, 671, 674
SWA 8 (Wed)
Discussion 8 (Wed)
Nov 06
World War II
Coffin, Ch. 26
Brophy, pp. 712, 723, 732
Movie Analysis III
EXAM III (Wed)
Nov 13
Another New World Order?
Coffin, Ch. 27
Brophy, pp. 746, 759, 771
Begin reading the Poiger text
Discussion 9 (Mon)
SWA 9
No class Wed (to complete SWA9)
Nov 20
Cold War
Coffin, Ch. 28
Brophy, pp. 785, 789, 792
Continue reading Poiger text
Nov 27
The Peace Dividend!
Coffin, Ch. 29
Brophy, pp. 799, 804, 808
Complete the Poiger text
SWA 10 (Thu)
Discussion 10 (Thu)
Dec 04
Final Projects
Coffin, Ch. 29
Brophy, pp. 812, 817
Dec 11
EXAM IV
Hand in final Movie Analysis
7
8