History 333: Europe in Crisis, 1871-1949

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE Department of History HISTORY 333: EUROPE IN CRISIS, 1871-1949 MWF 2:00-2:50 (3 Credit Hours) Spring 2012

Dr. Clifford F. Wargelin 207 Pawling Hall, x8074 Office Hours: MWF 11:00-11:50, 3:00-3:50 & by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A survey of European history from the period of German unification to the beginning of the Cold War, emphasis will be given to the challenges posed by nationalism and militarism; the two world wars; technological, economic, and social change; imperialism; the emergence of fascist, national socialist, and communist movements and governments; and the evolution of cultural modernism.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the major themes, issues, and developments that transformed Europe and the world in the period from 1871 to 1949. This will involve examination of issues that continue to impact the world today, including ideological extremism, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, technological revolution, and modernism. Students will also acquire an appreciation of the increasingly complex and often problematical interrelationship of Western states, societies, and economies with each other and with the non- Western world in this period.

Historians express their ideas first and foremost through the written word. It is the primary means by which they interpret historical evidence, advance original insights, and add to our understanding of the past. Scholarly writing, therefore, receives attention in every history course offered at Georgetown. In this course, a formal research paper that challenges students to explore a relevant topic of interest, engage diverse sources, and learn the skills of historical writing makes up a quarter of the total course grade. Additionally, weekly informal written summaries of required readings help students practice skills of critical reading of sources and of analytical writing. As a result, this course satisfies the criteria for the Writing (W) Flag requirement of the Foundations and Core Program. Students must complete their English composition and Core requirements before they can receive credit for the W class. Students may receive writing credit for no more than one W class in any one semester.

CLASS MEETINGS

This course will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00-2:50. Course material will be dealt with on both a topical and chronological basis. Lectures will be combined with discussion of issues raised in the required readings and in other formats. In a class of this level and size, meeting just twice a week, consistent class attendance and participation as well as the timely completion of assigned readings are necessary and will factor significantly into the final grade. Students are always encouraged to raise relevant issues or questions in class or to bring them to the attention of the professor during office hours.

REQUIREMENTS

There will be a mid-term examination and a final examination. Ten scheduled discussions centered on the required readings for that week will require brief (2-4 pages) summaries as part of a discussion/participation grade. Students will also complete a brief research paper (8-10 pages) on a relevant topic of their choosing relevant to the class. Writing quality will be assessed as well as content; feedback from and conferencing with the professor and utilization of the Skills Handbook will assist students in this area. Students will also receive instruction in source location, assessment, and documentation. Finally, teams of students will lead discussion during certain designated weeks. The course is designed to encourage a give-and- take atmosphere of profitable discussion in a seminar format. The professor contracts with you to come to class prepared, so that all can benefit from discussions and other activities. Students are responsible for all material covered in class whether they come to class or not.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades will be determined according to points on the following scale: A=92-100, AB=88-91, B=82-87, BC=78-81, C=70-77, D=60-69, F=less than 60. Minimum passing grade is 60%. The final grade will be determined by averaging the point totals for individual assignments and requirements according to the following percentages: Examinations: 20% x 2 = 40% Research Paper: 25% Discussion Leadership: 5% Discussion/Participation: 30% ------Total: 100%

REQUIRED READINGS (Available at the Georgetown College Bookstore)

Robert Roberts, The Classic Slum: Salford Life in the First Quarter of the Century Adam Hochschild, King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa Modris Eksteins, Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age Sigmund Freud, Civilization and its Discontents Christopher Browning, Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final solution in Poland

Note: The professor may also occasionally put relevant readings on reserve in the Ensor Learning Resource Center either as required or extra credit readings for this course. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

ACT I: EROS

Week 1 Ego Introduction to Course Themes and Requirements The Industrial Revolution

Week 2 Society Technology and Invention Class, Social Mobility, and Emigration Women and Family The Classic Slum, Chapters 1-5

Week 3 Culture Education, Literacy, and the Draft Artists, Composers, Writers, and Thinkers Materialism and Progress The Classic Slum, Chapters 6-10

Week 4 Repression Darwin, Nietzsche, and Spencer The Affair National Rivalry and National Ego Research Paper Topic Due

Week 5 Utopia Marx, Engels, and the International Bernstein and Evolutionary Socialism Unions, Strikes, and the Man

Week 6 Empire Spencer, Kipling, and Mahan The Tools of Empire A Place in the Sun King Leopold’s Ghost, Part I – First Team

Week 7 Machiavellianism Risk Theory Allies and Rivals King Leopold’s Ghost, Part II – Second Team

Mid-Term Examination ACT II: THANATOS

Week 8 Id Fin de Siècle In Flanders Fields Sacrifice Rites of Spring, Act I Research Paper Prospectus Due

Week 9 Revolution Reformers and Revolutionaries Lenin and the Founding of the USSR The Comintern Rites of Spring, Act II – Third Team

Week 10 Disillusionment Collapse Hero Worship Fascism Rites of Spring, Act III – Fourth Team

Week 11 Militarism Revisionism Praetorianism National Socialism Civilization and its Discontents

Week 12 Crisis Depression Appeasement Civil and Uncivil Wars Research Paper Rough Draft Due

Week 13 Armageddon Hitler’s War World War Genocide Ordinary Men

Week 14 Year Zero Grand Alliance Unconditional Surrender Twilight of the Gods

Week 15 Super-Ego Truman and Marshall United Nations, Divided Europe Cold War Research Paper Due

FINAL EXAMINATION: TBA