History 110             Western Civilization II (1648 to Recent)            Fall 2007   

Sec. 3 Noon – 12:50 Mon. Wed., Fri., Ruffner G50

Longwood University              Dr. C. W. Reigel

cwreigel@longwood.edu            Telephone: 395 – 2424

Office Hours 11-Noon M., W., F., & 10-11 T., & Th. (& by appt.) Ruffner 239

 

Course Description: A survey of the development of Modern Western Civilization from the Age of Absolutism to the present, with emphasis upon the political, economic, social, cultural and intellectual attribututes that have marked its rise to world wide influence in the twentieth century.

 

Course Objectives:  Upon the completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical issues confronted by Western societies.
  2. Identify common themes found in Western Civiliazations.
  3. Demonstrate a ability to link political, economic, cultural influences in an intensively interdependent fashion.
  4. Analyze the nature of change.

 

Required: Annual Editions Western Civilization vol. 2 (14th ed.); Slavery and the rise of the Atlantic System, Barbara L. Solow (ed.); Ordinary Men, Christopher R. Browning.

 

Dates and topics subject to change

Aug. 27,  Introduction.

Aug. 29-31,  Before 1648.

Sept. 5-7,  Absolutism vs. Democracy.

Sept. 10,  The Anglo-French rivalry.

Sept. 12-14  The Enlightenment.

Sept. 17-19, The American & French Revolutions.

Sept. 21,  World consequences.

Sept. 24,  Discuss Solow, and Annual,,, pp. 15-64.  Prepare for exam.

Sept. 26,  1st Exam.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1,  Napoleon.

Oct. 3,  Colonialism.

Oct. 5, The précis on Solow is due.

Oct. 8,  The Middle Class.

Oct. 10-12,  The Industrial Revolution.

Oct. 17,  Nationalism.,

Oct. 19, The White man’s burden.

Oct. 22,  Discuss Annual,,,pp. 65-119.  Prepare for exam.

Oct. 24,  2nd Exam

Oct. 26-29, Nov. 1 World War I.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2,  Idealism and Depression.

Nov. 5,  Communism.

Nov. 7-9, Fascism & Nazism.

Nov. 12, 14, 16,  World War II.

Nov. 19, 26, Empires end.

Nov. 28, 30,  The Cold War.

Dec. 3,  Technology., 

Dec. 5, How  will the 1980s be judged?

Dec. 7, Prepare for exam. Discuss Annual,,, pp. 120-177, and Browning.

Final exam Thursday 11:30-2:00 Dec. 13.

 

Grading:  1st exam 20%;  2nd exam 20%;  final exam is in two portions (since 2nd exam & comprehensive) 40%.  A two page précis on a chapter from Solow, worth 20%, will be assigned to each student.  No extra credit.  Scale: A+=100-97, A=96-94, A-= 93-90, B+=89-87, B= 86-84, B-=83-80, C+=79-77, C=76-74, C-=73-70, D+= 69-67, D=66-60, F=59 or less.

 

Attendance is taken at the start of each meeting.  If you do not attend you are still responsible for all materials and exams.

 

The Honor Code is based on the need for trust in an academic community.  Longwood’s Honor Code was instituted by its students and is administered by its students.  All students are responsible for reading and understanding its provision, as found in the college catalog and student handbook.  All graded written work completed for this course will be considered pledged.