Syllabus for European History II

Course Syllabus for History of European Civilization II (AHIS 131)

SUNY Albany – fall semester 2007

Tues/ Thur in HU 39 at 8:45-10:05am

Professor Anthony Anadio

Office: Ten Broeck 201-2

Office hours: Tues/ Thur 7:45-8:30am, 11:45am-12:30pm, and by appointment.

We will begin by briefly summarizing the fundamental ideas, and a few particular events, of the Renaissance and Reformation. Within that context we will examine the religious wars of the sixteenth century; the emergence of nation-states and countries; and the triumph of the Scientific Revolution. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment attempted to consolidate the gains made in the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution, and to fundamentally reshape human existence. But despite the spectacular successes of the Enlightenment, it was eclipsed by very different ideas in the age of Romanticism. The American and French Revolutions reflected the philosophical differences between the Enlightenment and Romanticism, and the two forces continued to clash into the nineteenth century against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution.

As the various European countries grew more populous and economically powerful, their relationships with each other could at any moment turn to warfare, or struggle with internal revolution. Philosophy, nationalism, technological innovation, and a population explosion represented some of the forces that fought for dominance or reconciliation, as humanity faced an unprecedented ability to alter the environment in the image of its values. When those forces grew too large to reconcile among nations, a relatively minor event, or an evil ideology, could have destructive and disastrous consequences. We will study how they led to two World Wars and the slaughter of millions, as well as how people commandeered the concepts of philosophy and technology for the purposes of destruction, salvation, and the achievement of greatness. Finally, but without examining too many particular events, we will look at the basic ideas and conflicts of the Cold War and Globalization.

Throughout the period of this study, I will emphasize culture and the role of ideas as a means of analyzing and connecting the people and events that make up the trajectory of history. In addition, I will teach you what history is; why we study it; how to think about it (especially that); and why it is important in how we live our lives.

Grading: There are no exams for this course, but rather two papers – one 5-6 pages and one 9-10 pages. The due dates are October 25th and December 6th, respectively. A handout will provide you with specific details and requirements, as well as the consequences for plagiarism. Failure to hand in both papers will result in failure of the course. During part of our class on October 9th, I will conduct a writing seminar that should improve your writing skills – do not miss that class! The material needed for the assignments will come predominately from my lectures, then from the readings and images, then from research sources that are additionally necessary for the final paper, but please bear in mind that you will be expected to provide your own analysis, rather than a reiteration of course material. There is no extra credit.

When I hand back your paper, it will only contain your grade. All too often I have spent considerable time correcting and rewriting sections of students’ papers only to have my work ignored when their next paper is turned in. In lieu, I make the following offer: if you want to go over the writing and intellectual mechanics of your paper, you must come to my office and I will give you all of the one-to-one time necessary.

University at Albany policy on plagiarism: “Plagiarism is taking (which includes purchasing) the words and ideas of another and passing them off as one's own work. If in a formal paper a student quotes someone, that student must use quotation marks and give a citation. Paraphrased or borrowed ideas are to be identified by proper citations. Plagiarism will result, at the minimum, in a failing grade for the assignment."

(The subject of plagiarism will be explained in much fuller detail in my essay guideline handouts, and in class).

Requirements: Attendance is required, and please show up on time. Each day you will sign the attendance sheet next to your name. This list will be passed out at the beginning of class, and no one will be allowed to sign in after it has made the rounds (yet another reason to show up on time). If you miss the sheet, but attend class, it is an absence. If you have more than 3 unexcused absences, I will begin shaving points off of your final grade (it is my sole discretion how much). More than 5 unexcused absences and you will fail the course. If you are absent for some legitimate reason, you must bring some sort of documentation, or it will be unexcused. If you are ill and cannot attend class, you must send me an email before class is scheduled to begin. All absences that you request to be excused will require an email, or they will not be excused. If for some legitimate reason you have to leave class early, you must tell me before class begins. You must complete all assigned readings. You must turn off your cell phones, iPods, and similar electronic devices. I will not tolerate disruptions in class. If you must, please get something to drink and use the bathroom beforehand.

Email policy: You can email me anytime with your questions and/or concerns and if it is possible for me to respond briefly, I will do so. If your inquiry is complicated enough to require an essay-length response, then I will reply by asking you to email me your phone number and a good time to call. You can email your papers, but you must follow the instructions on the guidelines (handed out 3 weeks prior to paper due date).

Textbook: Western Civilizations: volume 2 – Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey (2005 W.W. Norton and Company) ISBN: 0-393-92537-4.

There is also a website for the course, where you will find the syllabus, guidelines, images, and an email link to me at https://www.albany.edu/faculty/anadio

I will announce in class what you should read and when you should read it, so if you should miss a class (which you shouldn’t), you are still responsible for what I have assigned.