Western Civilization

Course Details

Course Number: 1433  Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 100

Days & Times:

Tuesday and Thursday - 9:30 to 10:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. James R. King   
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Course Expectations

Textbook:

Jackson J. Spielvogel, Western Civilization, Vol. II Since 1550 (St. Paul, Minn.: Wadsworth, 2006), 7th Edition

Requirements:

All students registered for the course are responsible for class attendance and all scheduled examinations. Examinations will cover the assigned reading in the textbook and the material covered in the lectures. The lectures are intended to introduce students to particular problems and issues which are central to the development of western society and culture. They are not meant to be a substitute for the careful narrative of events provided by the the textbook. The text also includes selections from the periods covered which carefully illustrate the sources on which the study of the era is based. They are to be considered part of your assignments for the course.

Examinations:

There will be three mid-term examinations in addition to the final. Students will need bluebooks for the mid-term and final examination. Three examination bluebooks must be turned in to me by September 9 (failure to do so on time will be treated as an unexcused absence). In every examination students should take careful note of the geographic locations associated with the material covered because questions associated with them may be included. It is simply impossible to understand historical events adequately if you are uncertain about the geography involved.

Class Attendance:

Students are required to attend class. The lectures are an integral part of the course and excessive absences will be treated as a failure to fulfill the requirements of the class. Excused absences will always be allowed for serious health reasons, deaths of members of the immediate family, or for scheduled university activities. The student has the full responsibility to substantiate an absence as properly excused. Any unsubstantiated absences will be considered unexcused. Any student who has four (4) or more unexcused absences may receive an F for the course. Any student who has more than three (3) unexcused absences may have his/her grade lowered one letter grade at my discretion. Regular and repeated tardiness will also be subject to the above penalty. Classes meet for one hour and twenty minutes. Students are expected to participate in the entire class. Anyone who has cause to leave before the scheduled end of the class must notify me in advance. There is no excuse for disrupting a class by leaving early or regularly arriving

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late. Furthermore, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class for the same reason A laptop computer may be used but solely for taking notes. Every student is expected to take notes during the lectures and any topic covered in the lectures may be included in the examinations. Students doing text messages during class are not participating in the class and may be dropped at my discretion if they do so. You may not engage in any classroom activities which distracts the attention of other students. This is a serious issue of classroom behavior and I will take it very seriously. No cell phones or other electronic devices is allowed during examinations.

 

Course Outline and Reading Assignments:

Introduction: (August 24)

The Society of Early Modern Europe (August 24 - September 2)

The European state system of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The age of overseas discovery and its impact on Europe.

The Renaissance and Reformation and their impact on European society.

The age of Religious War in Europe.

Read: Chapters 13 and 14, pp. 373-441.

Some of the above material is not covered in your text. I will put several texts on reserve in the library which do cover the period. For those who do have a copy of Volume I, read Chapter 12.

The Western State System in the 17th Century (September 7-14)

Absolutism and the centralization of political power in the states of Europe.

France and the Age of Louis XIV.

Religious and constitutional conflicts in England.

Read: Chapter 15, pp. 443-481.

The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment (September 16-23)

Theories of society and government.

The Scientific Revolution.

Philosophic responses to the Scientific Revolution.

The Enlightenment.

European society in the Age of Enlightened Despotism.

Read: Chapters 16-18, pp. 483-569.

Mid-Term Examination (September 28)

 

 

 

 

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The Emergence of Modern Society

The Age of Revolution the United States and France (September 30 - October 7)

The intellectual and social background of the French Revolution.

The First French Republic.

The Napoleonic Era.

Read: Chapter 19, pp. 571-601.

Western Society in the Early 19th Century (October 12-19)

The Industrial Revolution.

The era of revolution and reaction in politics.

Intellectual and political reactions to change: Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism.

The Age of Romanticism.

Read: Chapters 20-21, pp. 604-663.

Mid-Term Examination (November 2)

The Era of Nation-States (November 4-11)

The emergence of nationalism and its intellectual roots.

The unification of Germany and Italy.

European states in the later 19th century.

Social and intellectual movements during the later 19th century: Geology, Darwinism, Freud and modern Physics.

Read: Chapters 22, pp. 665-696.

Western Society in the Late Nineteenth and Early 20th Centuries (November 16-30)

The growth of European Imperialism.

The origins and nature of World War I.

The Russian Revolution.

Read: Chapters 23-25, pp. 698-801.

The Post World-War I Era (December 2)

The inter-war era: Boom and Bust.

The development of totalitarianism and the outbreak of World War II.

World War II and the advent of the Atomic Age.

The Era of the Cold War.

Nationalism vs. Colonialism: the West and its relationship to world society.

Read: Chapters 26-28, pp. 803-908.

Final Examination: (Tuesday, December 7, 8-10am)

 


Final Exam12/7/2010  8 AM

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Class Attendance:

Students are required to attend class. The lectures are an integral part of the course and excessive absences will be treated as a failure to fulfill the requirements of the class. Excused absences will always be allowed for serious health reasons, deaths of members of the immediate family, or for scheduled university activities. The student has the full responsibility to substantiate an absence as properly excused. Any unsubstantiated absences will be considered unexcused. Any student who has four (4) or more unexcused absences may receive an F for the course. Any student who has more than three (3) unexcused absences may have his/her grade lowered one letter grade at my discretion. Regular and repeated tardiness will also be subject to the above penalty. Classes meet for one hour and twenty minutes. Students are expected to participate in the entire class. Anyone who has cause to leave before the scheduled end of the class must notify me in advance. There is no excuse for disrupting a class by leaving early or regularly arriving

2

late. Furthermore, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class for the same reason A laptop computer may be used but solely for taking notes. Every student is expected to take notes during the lectures and any topic covered in the lectures may be included in the examinations. Students doing text messages during class are not participating in the class and may be dropped at my discretion if they do so. You may not engage in any classroom activities which distracts the attention of other students. This is a serious issue of classroom behavior and I will take it very seriously. No cell phones or other electronic devices is allowed during examinations.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.