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EUH 2030—Western Civilization: Europe in the Modern Era

Florida International University
Summer B, 2010

Dr. Jeremy Rowan

Office: DM 399
Office Phone: 305-348-4791
Office Hours: T/TH 2:30-3:30
E-mail: rowanj@fiu.edu

TA’s:
Mr. Jeffrey Austin
Mr. Michael Preston
Mr. Joshua Souliere

Course Description:
This course examines key developments in the origins and nature of Modern Europe, including
political, social, cultural, and economic developments from the 18th century to the present.
Written work meets the state Gordon Rule requirement.

Course Objectives:
The primary objective of this course is to familiarize students with the historical events and
movements that constitute the development of Modern Europe. The course will also focus on the
impact these events and movements had on society and how ordinary people have played
significant roles in shaping history. Secondary objectives are to introduce students to historical
criticism, to develop writing skills, and to encourage critical thinking.

Course Methods:
The course is primarily conducted through lectures, class discussion, collaborative activities, and
power-point/internet presentations. Students must keep well-organized notes from the lectures,
have all written assignments handed in on time, and complete all reading assignments by the due
dates. Students will be held responsible for both the lecture material and all reading
assignments.

Turnitin:
All students must register for this course on Turnitin.com. It is mandatory. The class number is
3325036 and the password is napoleon. We use Turnitin for multiple reasons: as an anti-
plagiarism device, a gradebook, and finally as an efficient method for contacting the class via e-
mail.

Required Readings:
The West: Encounters and Transformations 3rd Edition by Brian Levack, Edward Muir, Meredith
Veldman, and Michael Maas. Longman.

Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization 7th Edition (Volume 2) Edited by Mark
Kishlansky. Longman.
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Candide by Voltaire. Penguin.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Penguin.

Criteria for Evaluation:

2 exams – each worth 20% of the final course grade
2 Essays—each worth 20% of the course grade
In-class writing assignments, participation, and collaborative activities—worth 20% of the final
grade

Each exam will cover the material since the previous exam. STUDENTS ARE TO BRING A
BLUE EXAMINATION BOOKLET TO CLASS ON THE EXAM DATES. BLUE BOOKS
ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE.

Writing and critical thinking are primary components of this class.

Frequently, we will talk about the expectations for writing in the field of
history. We will analyze, for example, the style and form of writing
presented in your texts and in articles we read. Even if you do not plan to be
an historian, such awareness of disciplinary communication will be useful to
you, no matter your major or career.

To meet the state of Florida’s Gordon Rule writing requirements, you will
complete a sequence of writing assignments, ranging from informal in-class
writings to essay exams and formal essays. You will frequently be asked to
write reading responses and in-class collaborative writing assignments.
These assignments provide evidence of your reading and comprehension of
the material; they prepare you to participate in class discussion, and they
also facilitate your understanding of the readings. You will also complete an
essay exam question on your two major exams, and write two thesis-driven
essays that synthesize main ideas from the course. I will provide you with
detailed assignment sheets for these essays. A week before their due date,
you’ll be asked to bring a rough draft of your essay to class for peer review.
You are expected to hand in a hard copy of your writing assignment at the beginning of the class
on the due date. Electronic submissions are not acceptable. Late writing assignments will be
penalized a letter grade for every class period that the paper is late.

Make-up Exams:
No make-up exams will be given except in cases of illness and/or emergency. A doctor’s note
must be presented upon the instructor’s request for a make-up exam to be given. If no note is
forthcoming, the instructor retains the right to refuse to administer a make-up exam. A doctor’s
or dental appointment which is a non-emergency, and which, therefore, can be reasonably
rescheduled, is not a valid excuse. Unexcused missed exams will receive an automatic grade of
0%.

Grading:
In the course, grading will follow the scale below:
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A = 100-94 %
A- = 93-90%
B+ = 89–86%
B = 85-83%
B- = 82-80%
C+ = 79–76%
C = 75-73%
C- = 72-70%
D+ = 69-66%
D = 65-63%
D+ = 62-60
F = 59% and below

Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend class. Listening to the lectures and
participating in class discussion and the in-class writing assignments are
essential to success in this course.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Cheating and Plagiarism
a. Cheating is defined as the attempt, successful or not, to give or obtain
information by illicit means in meeting any academic requirements including,
but not limited to, examinations;
b. Plagiarism is defined as the use, without proper acknowledgement, of the
ideas, phrases, sentences, or larger units of discourse from another writer or
speaker.

Students are expected to know and abide by the academic dishonesty policy as
outlined in the university handbook and catalogue.

Students are therefore warned: Cheating and/or plagiarism in are grounds for an
automatic grade of “F”.

Student Behavior:
All FIU University students are expected to behave according to the accepted norms that ensure
a climate wherein all can exercise their right to learn. Such norms are set forth in the
undergraduate catalogue. Please be sure that you have read and understood the section. No
faculty member will tolerate classroom behavior that violates these norms. Such behavior will
be grounds for withdrawal from the class, judicial proceedings, and/or failure of the course.

Class Schedule:

Week 1:
Thursday, June 24—Course Introduction and Syllabus; 18th Century Society and Culture
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Reading: Levack “What is the West?” (pp. 3-9) and Ch. 18; Candide

Week 2:
Tuesday, June 29— The French Revolution
Discussion: “What is the West?” and Candide
Reading: Levack Ch. 19; Kishlansky # 99, 100, 101

Thursday, July 1 –The French Revolution and Napoleon

Discussion: Kishlansky
Reading: Levack Ch. 20; Kishlansky #103, 104, 105

Week 3:
Tuesday, July 6—The Congress of Vienna and End of the Napoleonic Era; Industrial Revolution
Discussion: Kishlansky

Thursday, July 8—Industrial Revolution; Essay 1 Rough Draft Due (peer review)
Discussion: Kishlansky;
Reading: Levack Chapter 21 and 22; Kishlansky #106, 108, 116
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Week 4:
Tuesday, July 13— Essay 1 Due; Reaction and Reform; Age of Mass Politics
Discussion: Kishlansky
Reading: Levack Chapter 23

Thursday, July 15— Age of Mass Politics; New Imperialism

Discussion: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde;
Reading: Levack Chapter 24; Kishlansky #128, 131

Week 5:
Tuesday, July 20 —Exam 1

Thursday, July 22—World War I; Russian Revolution

Discussion: Kishlansky Reading: Levack Chapter 25;
Kishlansky #132, 135

Week 6:
Tuesday, July 27— Interwar Years; Essay 2 Rough Draft Due (peer review)
Discussion: Kishlansky
Reading: Levack Chapter 26; Kishlansky # 136, 137, 139

Thursday, July 29— Essay 2 Due; World War II

Discussion: Kishlansky
Reading: Levack 27; Kishlansky # 144, 145
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Week 7:
Tuesday, August 3 —Cold War and Post-War Society
Discussion: Kishlansky

Thursday, August 5—Final Exam