History 218
1918 Europe 1989
Dr. Cocks
Spring 2013
Syllabus
Classroom: Olin 232, MWF 2:15-3:20, Bobbitt 113, T 7-10 pm
Office: Rob 209; Office Hours: MTWF 10-11:30, TR 4:30-5 + by appt. & happenstance
Office Phone: 0390; Home Phone: 629-5795; email: gcocks@albion.edu
See also “Course Materials” at www.albion.edu/academics /history/faculty-and-staff/12geoffrey-cocks
REQUIRED READING (college bookstore): Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the
Peace; Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London; Hilberg, The Destruction of the European
Jews (student edition, 1985); Rodriguez, Revolver; Ash, The File
All reading assignments are to be completed before class on the first date (usually a Monday)
listed directly under "READING" in the schedule below. Please bring the text/s to class since
we will occasionally be referring to them during class lectures. In nine of the weeks, Tuesday
evening films in Bobbitt Auditorium take the place of daytime class to supplement or take the
place of reading. Attendance at evening films as scheduled is mandatory. We will begin each
day with a summary by a student chosen by the instructor of the previous lecture or discussion.
NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY BE USED IN ANY CLASS OR EXAM SESSION.
EXAMINATIONS: There will be a mid-term and final essay examination. All written
comments on exams should be read carefully as they are an essential part of the educational
process. All final examinations will be returned via campus mail after the end of the semester.
PAPERS: Four five-page papers (two pages per sheet of paper, that is, printed on both sides) on
readings and films, at least two of which must be on one of the readings. Each paper should
explore the relationship of the subject matter and arguments of the book or film to the material
covered in class lecture and discussion. Written comments on the returned papers should be read
carefully since they are vital to the educational value of these written assignments. The papers
are due the Monday following the week for which the reading or film is assigned; TWO of the
papers MUST be submitted by Monday, March 18. NO MORE THAN ONE PAPER MAY BE
TURNED IN FOR ANY ONE WEEK OR ANY LATER THAN THE LAST DAY OF CLASS
IN THE SEMESTER.
The Peace after the War to End all Wars
READING: Keynes, ix-xxxvii
1/22
film: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Germany, 1919), Bobbitt 113, 7-8:30 pm
1/23
discussion of film
1/25
1918
The Years of Turmoil and Adjustment
READING: finish Keynes
1/28
Turmoil, 1919-1924
1/30
Adjustment, 1924-1929
2/1
discussion of Keynes
A Room of One’s Own
READING: begin Orwell
2/4
in-class film: A Room of One’s Own (United States, 1980)
2/5
film: Orlando (England, 1993), Bobbitt 113, 7-9 pm
2/6
discussion of films
2/8
Great Britain in the Twenties
“2+2=5"
READING: finish Orwell; Hilberg, 5-38
2/11
The Slump, 1929-1939
2/13
Communism, Fascism, and Democracy
2/15
discussion of Orwell
2/18
Germans into Nazis
2/19
film: Land and Freedom (England, 1995), Bobbitt 113, 7-9 pm
2/20
discussion of film
2/22
Adolf Hitler, Time Magazine “Man of the Year” for 1938
The War after the War to End All Wars
READING: Hilberg, 41-331
2/25
The Last European War
2/27
World War
3/1
Total War
3/4
MID-TERM EXAMINATION
3/6
Extermination
3/8
discussion of Hilberg
The Empire Strikes Out
READING: begin Rodriguez
3/18
Decolonization and Globalization
3/19
film: The Battle of Algiers (Algeria/Italy, 1966) w/Night and Fog (France, 1955),
Bobbitt 113, 7-9:30 pm
3/20
discussion of films
3/22
Cold War
From Rubble to Recovery
READING: continue Rodriguez
3/25
The Recovery of Europe
3/26
film: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (England, 1962), Bobbitt 113, 7-8:45
3/27
discussion of film
3/29
The Iron Curtain
Make Love, Not War
READING: finish Rodriguez
4/1
Driving Sideways: Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n Revolution
4/2
film: A Hard Day’s Night (England, 1964), Bobbitt 113, 7-8:30 pm
4/3
discussion of film
4/5
discussion of Rodriguez
The Perils of Prosperity
READING: begin Ash
4/8
From Common Market to Economic Community
4/10
Behind the Curtain
4/12
Détente
The Curtain Rusts
READING: Ash, 3-132
4/15
The Federal Republic of Germany
4/17
The German Democratic Republic
4/19
discussion of Ash
1989
READING: Ash, 133-256
4/22
Glasnost and Perestroika
4/23
film: Goodbye Lenin! (Germany, 2003), Bobbitt 113, 7-9:15 pm
4/24
Revorm and Refolution
4/26
discussion of Ash
Ghostscript: The New Nationalism
4/29
“Yu go, Slavia!”
4/30
film: The Secret Life of Words (Spain, 2005), Bobbitt 113, 7-9 pm
5/1
discussion of film
FINAL EXAMINATION: Tuesday, May 7, 8-10 a.m.