Syllabus H113-02

Prof. Michael Markowski

Westminster  College

History Program

Fall Term, 2006

          We will explore the history of Western Civilization from the Reformation to the present.  This time in history saw more changes, saw them accelarate more quickly, and saw a variety in life that is unparalleled in all previous history. As this collage suggests, modern life has become filled with many things, ideas, images, perceptions, events etc -- so much so that some see a chaotic jumble in modernity that defies rational order or understanding. Others see the proliferation(s) as only variations on a few themes -- nothing new or chaotic, just a bit more of the same.

     Our study of history will try to sort out the monumental events (like World War II) and movements (like the rise of individualism and tyranny, capitalism and communism, liberalism and conservatism -- ambiguities side-by-side in our Western World.

      To become familiar with developments in society and art, in the politics, religions, philosophies, economies, literature as well as the significant ideas connected to Western Civilization;

      To understand the methods historians employ, and to use them in our class (and beyond);

     To inquire into some of the greatest pieces of western literature with a critical frame of mind;

     To gain a sense that we all participate in the family of humanity, and that learning about the history of this family can teach us much about ourselves, and so deepen our individual 'Life of the Mind'.

 Kagan, et al. The Western Heritage Since 1300

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein.

                  Alan Bullock, Hitler: A Study in Tyranny.

                  Voltaire, Candide.

Grades are drawn from a Mid-term exam (20%), Final exam (30%), a Term Paper (30%), and Discussions (20%). Click for more on the paper.

          Regular attendance is important, and for the discussion grade, necessary. HIST 112 is a Westminster College Liberal Education course carrying 3 credits.

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     Tues & Thurs, 9:30-NooN

       Office Hours are in my office at Foster 419  (832-2391).

Markowski Home

History 112-02 meets in
CONV 103, on T-Th,
From NooN to 1:15.

Aug 24: Introduction to History, to Western, to Civilization, to H113;

Readings: Western Heritage (WH), xxvi-xxxi and always every day, anything linked here

14: Absolutism+Reformation=Enlightenment as Reaction: Introduction

Readings: WH, pp. 428-439

19: Science & Enlightenment (No Ambiguities Here....)

Readings: WH, 452-473

22: Enlightenment Figures & Ideas; Background to Candide

Readings: WH, ch 17; Candide

5: Industrial Revolution: Better lives, Worse lives

Readings: use the WH index for the Industrial Revolution: Was it a 'revolution'?

10: Economics of Colonies, Slavery, Empire

Readings: WH, ch 16

12: American Revolution/War of Independence; First Frankenstein?

Readings: WH, ch 16

17: The French Revolution: Failed & Over-rated?

Readings: WH, ch 18

19: A Century of "isms" -- Intro to Frankenstein

Readings: WH, ch 20; Frankenstein

Nov 7: Discuss Early Life of Adolf Hitler: Loved children, flowers, dogs; hated much also: inconsistency? ambiguity? irrationality? evil?

Readings: WH, review ch 25 & 26; Bullock to p. 63

9: Nazi Exercise of Power: for better and worse

Readings: WH, review ch 27 Bullock to p. 136

21: Holocaust and the Establishment of Israel: Double meaning?

Readings: WH, ch 29; Bullock discuss it in its entirety