Introduction to the Modern World – Spring 2014
History 104-3
MWF 9:30-10:20
LILY 3418
John E. Fahey – REC 410
Office hours: Monday 10:30-11:00 AM, 12:15-1:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00-9:15 AM, or by
appointment.
Course Description:
How did we get here? While this is an excellent question for metaphysicians, it is also an
important question for historians. To understand the world we live in it is necessary to understand the
world we come from and build upon. This class will focus on developments in modern European and
American history that continue to shape the political, social, economic, and cultural world you find
yourself in. The modern world confronts us with difficult questions, like toleration, the efficacy of
democracy, a host of competing political ideologies, the problem of genocide, and the role of the
individual in broader society. A knowledge of history can help you to contextualize these questions and
think effectively about them. It is an essential part of a university education.
Sadly, not all history is created equal or even well. Studying history is also an excellent way to
improve your analytical skills, writing ability, and practice constructing and an argument. This class
will give you the chance to critically examine historical events, and their current portrayal, and use that
information for in class and written debate.
As we explore how the past has created our world, remember that someone once said “God can’t
change the past, but historians can.”
Course Readings
Clifford R. Backman, The Cultures of the West: A History Volume 2 (since 1350)
Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
Additional readings as assigned via Blackboard.
Assignments:
Exams: Two in class tests including a mixture of short identification, matching, and essay questions.
50% of your grade.
Quizzes: Unscheduled quizzes on readings and lecture material. These will also effectually grade
attendance. 20% of grade.
Good history / bad history: Two 500 word essays describing a bad use of history and a good use of
history (one paper each). These examples can be from the news, the History Channel, political debate,
popular culture, or elsewhere and can be turned in at any time during the semester. Further instructions
and examples are on Blackboard. 10% of grade.
Essay: Five page essay evaluating historical arguments and a primary source. 20%.
Course Policies:
Attendance: Attendance is highly encouraged, but will not be tracked. Quizzes will be given in class at
random and can not be made up, unless approved of beforehand. Extra credit can be earned by
participating in class discussions. Running grades will be kept on Blackboard.
Campus closures: In case of a major campus emergency or closure, students will be informed of
changes to class schedule and requirements by e-mail, Blackboard and class announcements.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism refers to the reproduction of another author’s words/ideas without proper
attribution. University regulations do not tolerate acts of plagiarism, cheating, or other academic
dishonesty. Any acts of academic dishonesty will likely result in a failing grade and referral to the
Dean of Students.
Course Schedule
Reading Assignment
Week
373-388
1
1
1
20 Martin Luther King, Jr. (No class)
22 The Protestant Reformation
24 Wars of Religion
388-402
441-459
2
2
2
27 Absolutism
29 Scientific Revolution
31 Enlightenment
503-526
465-474, 491-499
553-562, 565-573
3
3
3
591-601
Blackboard readings
4
4
4
10 Napoleonic Wars
12 Metternich Era
14 Liberalism and Marxism
601-620
665-677
677-685, 687-691
5
5
5
17 Industrialization and Romanticism
19 Revolutions of 1848
21 Nationalism, German and Italian Unification
625-639, 645-661
685-687, blackboard readings
705-729
6
6
6
January 13 Introduction & What is history
15 Europe 1350 C.E.
17 The Renaissance
February 3 French Revolution
5 Global Revolutions
7 No class – French Revolution assignment
Course Schedule
Reading Assignment
24 Eastern Crisis and Great Game
26 Family Life and Women’s rights
28 Midterm
Week
Blackboard readings
783-807
7
7
7
815-819, 826-836
819-826, 849-859
745-749, 752-772
8
8
8
860-864, 869-880
887-896
901-912, 921-928
9
9
9
24 Russian Revolution
26 Peace and new states
28 Interwar culture and the depression
912-921, blackboard readings
931-941
941-955
10
10
10
31 Stalinism and Soviet society
April 2 Fascist Movements
4 Road to World War II and blitzkrieg
964-966, blackboard readings
955-964, 966-969
969-983
11
11
11
7 Total war, society, and war’s end
9 Holocaust and Genocide
Essay due
11 Post-war Reconstruction and aftermaths
993-1014
987-993,
Man’s Search for Meaning
1017-1023, 1057-1074
12
12
14 Cold War
16 The 60s
18 Decolonization
1023-1026, 1029-1035
13
1035-1054
13
1026-1029, blackboard readings 13
21 Late Communism and Fall of Soviet Union
23 End of History and the European Union
25 Globalization and the flat world
1091-1104, blackboard readings 14
1104-1109
14
1111-1113, blackboard readings 14
March 3 New Imperialism
5 New sciences
7 Evolution and God
10 Modernism and nihilism
12 Road to Sarajevo
14 World War I (tactics/home front/ cultural impact)
17-21 No class - Spring Break
28 9-11 and the War on Terror
30 Technological, social, and cultural fracture
May 2 Financial Crises, etc.
1125-1142
Blackboard readings
1142-1156
5 May Final Exam Week – final exam schedule to be announced when available.
12
15
15
15