History 1200: Modern Europe
Christopher Oldstone-Moore

Spring 2013

Overview

The study of history is about the present. It seeks answers to key questions about ourselves, especially how we became who we are. The central point of studying history is not so much to avoid the mistakes of the past, as it is to gain awareness of who we are, and how our world has come to be.

In the sciences, students do what professional scientists do: they learn the laws of nature by direct experimentation in the laboratory. Historians cannot do that, but they can examine evidence from the past, the "primary sources." In this course, you will "do" history in a way similar to that of professional historians. You will look at evidence from the past--buildings, artifacts, artworks, and especially writing of all kinds--in order to assemble a picture of events and developments that have shaped lives past and present.

The history of Europe is formative to the experience of modern Americans. Its culture, ideas and institutions have shaped modern America in countless ways. These are a few key questions this course invites you to consider: What are the events and ideas that have made the modern world? How, when and why did ideas like human rights, democracy and nationalism become powerful? What roles have religion and modern science played in framing our world? Is there a fundamental conflict between them? Why did Europe drag itself and the whole world into massively destructive wars, and what were the long-term effects of these disasters? What are the prospects for Europe and the world in our own times?

There is even more to history class than the study of history. Other goals for this course are the development of analytic skill and effective written expression. In general terms, practice in historical thinking introduces one way of thinking. It is another apparatus in the exercise-room of the mind.

Required Books available at the Bookstore:

Wright State University, The West and the World from 1500

Erich M. Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

Special Needs

If any student has a demonstrable need for special consideration with respect to the requirements of this class they should inform the professor immediately.

Attendance

Attendance is essential to learning (and a good grade). The instructor does not manage attendance, the student does. There is enough flexibility in the system to allow students to miss class occasionally, but there is no mechanism for making up points lost to repeated absences.

Class time

Some class days are lecture. Most class periods involve discussion, writing, and other in-class work. The instructor will ask students questions at any point of the class, and answers may earn students extra credit. Many times students will be divided into small groups for discussion.

Computers and Cell Phones

Those who must use laptops must sit in the FRONT TWO ROWS. Other electronic devices should NOT EVEN BE VISIBLE.  Droids, iphones, etc. distract attention, dissipate concentration, and make a person even more nerdy than the professor, which is saying a lot. If this class, or other contact with real humans, is not entertaining enough for you, then you should go home and rethink your life (or at least your class schedule).

Written Assignments

Daily Work: Students are expected to write answers to one of the focus questions for each day. The professor will randomly collect these questions, and assign points for their completion (maximum 10 points). Each student will have 10 opportunities during the semester to submit 8 questions. Questions must be turned in during class, and no late submissions will be accepted. It will be difficult to get a good grade without submitting these questions.

Quizzes: There will be 10 quizzes in the semester, all on Pilot.  Each quiz is worth 10 points. The top 8 scores will count for the grade. There are no make-up quizzes.

Writing Days: Each student will write three short theme papers in class on designated Writing Days. There is an opportunity late in the semester to make up one missed essay.

Exams: There are three multiple-choice exams. The final exam is not cumulative. It concerns the material covered after the second exam. If you miss an exam, it can be made up at finals time. Missing exams, however, is not advisable.

All written assignments will be returned to the students with their scores.  Students should keep all their returned assignments in a folder.  Besides being useful for review, students should keep a record of their points.

Grading

The course is 400 points:                  The final grade is calculated on this scale:

Daily Work (8)	80 pts	A= 90-100
Quizzes (8)	80 pts	B= 80-89
Themes (3 x 20)	60 pts	C= 70-79
Exams (3 x 60)	180 pts	D= 60-69