History 106
European Civilization II
Spring 2015
Wednesday 4-6:45
Room: DC 107
Western Nevada College
Lane Simonian
Office Hours: by appointment
Campus Phone: 782-2413 (from 2 to 7)
Box: In back near the science lab
Home Phone: 825-8937
E-mail: Lane.Simonian@wnc.edu
Number of Credits: 3
Transfers to other institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education as HIST
106
Prerequisites: None
Division Information
Liberal Arts Division Director: Professor Scott Morrison
Office: Bristlecone Building, Room 350A
Phone: 445-4401
E-mail: scott.morrison@wnc.edu
Liberal Arts Division Administrative Assistants:
Katy Edmunds
Office: Bristlecone Building, Room 350D
Phone: 445-3290
Text: Noble, et al., Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries, Seventh Edition. Boston:
Wadsworth, 2014.
Catalog Course Description
HIST 106: European Civilization 1648 to Present
Covers Western civilization and history from the mid-17th century to the present.
Course Content
Through lectures, readings, audio-visual materials, and discussions, students will be
introduced to the main political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual developments
in the Western World from 1648 to present, as well as the impact of European expansion
on the rest of the world. Among the topics we will cover are the Scientific Revolution,
the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, Western
Imperialism, immigration, the Russian Revolution, World War I, the rise of modern
dictatorships (communism, fascism, and Nazism), World War II, the Cold War,
decolonization, and the post-Cold War Era.
Value of Course
From this course students may develop a greater appreciation of the value of history,
improve their writing skills, strengthen research skills that they can use for other classes
and in other aspects of their lives, and develop a sensitivity to the achievements and
sufferings of Europeans and non-Europeans in the modern age.
Learning Opportunities
Through this course students will acquire knowledge about the fundamental principles,
distinct historical events, ideas and concepts of Western Civilization since the early
modern period, will understand the forces leading to historical change and political,
economic, and social transformations, be introduced to the cultural, political, and
religious diversity within Western Civilizations, and appreciate the impact of the past
upon the present.
Requirements
Tests
There will be two tests during the semester, each consisting of essays and identifications.
The final exam will only be on material from the second half of the course. The
instructor will provide a study guide for both the midterm and final exams. No notes or
books are allowed during the exams, with one exception: students whose first language is
not English can use an English-foreign language dictionary.
Paper
Each student will prepare a paper on an approved topic in the history of Western
Civilization since 1648. The paper should be approximately five pages in length and
double-spaced.
Attendance and Interest
Regular attendance is an important part of the course. Students will not be penalized for
shyness. Instead, they will be judged upon their level of interest and respectfulness.
Discussion Question
During the semester, students should turn in one question on a subject relevant to an
upcoming class (questions will be accepted up until the beginning of the last lecture).
Students who turn in a question will have one point added onto their attendance and
interest grade (which equals a percentage point added onto their final grade). Students
who don’t turn in a question will have one point deducted from their attendance and
interest grade.
Important Dates
March 16
April 20
May 18
Midterm Exam
Paper Due
Final Exam
Grading
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Paper
Attendance and Interest
30%
30%
30%
10%
Class Policies
Grading
Points will be given for all assignments. At the end of each semester, each student will
be assigned a grade based upon the following percentage scale.
94-100
90-93
87-89
84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
67-69
64-66
60-63
Under 60
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Absences
Students with legitimate reasons for missing class should notify the instructor as soon as
is convenient and no later than the last day of the course (the final exam).
Assistance
If you miss a class, try to obtain notes from one of your classmates when you return.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating on an exam will result in a test score of zero. Plagiarism on a paper (presenting
other people’s work as your own) will result in either a poor grade or the redoing of the
assignment.
Incompletes and Withdrawals
Students who officially drop the class on or before April 1st will receive a withdrawal
grade. Otherwise, students who stop attending the class will receive an F, unless they
qualify for an incomplete or can provide evidence to Admissions and Records of extreme
hardship. In order to receive an incomplete, a student must have completed 75% of the
course requirements with a grade of C or better and must have a compelling reason for
not being able to complete the class. Students who have to take an incomplete should
contact the instructor before the end of the semester. Students have 120 days to make up
an incomplete.
Make-Up Exams
Arrangements to make up excused absences from exams should be made in advance if
possible. Otherwise, a student should contact the instructor as soon as possible to explain
why he or she was unable to take the regularly scheduled exam and to arrange a time to
take the make-up exam. Make-ups will not be given for inadequate preparation.
Late Papers
Your paper should be turned into me at or before the due date. Two points will be
deducted for each weekday (excluding holidays) that a paper is late. Exceptions will be
made in the event of an illness or emergency, or if prior arrangements have been made.
Students who don’t turn in a paper will lose 30 points from their final grade.
Points of Courtesy
Please be on time to class. If possible, let me know if you have to leave class early. No
extraneous talking. Keep cell phones on silent. No food, open beverage containers, or
cigarettes are allowed in the classrooms, except where food and drink are needed for
medical reasons
European Civilization Schedule
Spring 2016
Text: Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries—Noble, et al. 7th ed.
Readings should be completed before the lecture.
Week 1
Weds. 1/27
Introduction: Objectives, Requirements, and Grading
Week 2
Weds. 2/3
Absolutism, Constitutionalism, and Colonialism
Readings: pp. 469-499
Week 3
Weds. 2/10
The Scientific Revolution
Readings: pp. 501-527
Week 4
Weds. 2/17
The Enlightenment
Readings: pp. 530-548, 554-561
Week5
Weds. 2/24
The French Revolution
Readings: 563-592
Week 6
Weds. 3/2
The Industrial Revolution
Readings: pp. 548-553, 594-615, 676-683 (to near bottom of the page)
Week 7
Weds. 3/9
Nineteenth Century Ideologies
Readings: pp. 618-647
Review for Midterm Exam
Week 8
Weds. 3/16
Midterm Exam
Week 9
Weds. 3/23
Spring Break
No Class
Week 10
Weds. 3/30
Nationalism and the “Age of Progress”
Readings: pp. 649-673, 683-699
Week 11
Weds. 4/6
Western Imperialism, Immigration, and Unrest in Europe
Readings: pp. 702-724
Week 12
Weds. 4/13
World War I and the Russian Revolution
Readings: pp. 724-728, 731-762
Week 13
Weds. 4/20
Modern Dictatorships
Readings: pp. 765-791, 794-812
Paper Due
Week 14
Weds. 4/27
World War II
Readings: pp. 812-822, 825-851
Week 15
Weds. 5/4
The Cold War and Decolonization
Readings: pp. 851-856, 859-893
Week 16
Weds. 5/11
The Post-Cold War Era
Readings: pp. 896-927
Readings: pp. 851-882 (old edition)
Review for Final Exam
Week 17
Weds. 5/18
Final Exam
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
“Qualified students with physical or documented learning disabilities have the right to
free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Western
Nevada College.” For assistance contact Susan Trist from the Office of Disability
Support Services at 445-4459. The office is located in Counseling Services in Cedar 209
(Carson Campus).