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History of Western Civilization II

Carole Schroeder, Adjunct Faculty, Asian & Eurpean History

Courses

painting of woman and bats

During the weekly Channel 4 programs Professor Weber explores the cultural and philosophical challenges that have influenced the Western world from the Reformation to the Technological Revolution.  He deals with questions of religion, demography, politics, economics and society.  The Western Tradition was produced by WGBH TV, Boston, and premiered in the fall of 1989.

Required Text:

John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, John Buckler:  A History of Western Society, Volume II from Absolutism to the Present: (Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003)  ISBN 0-395-90433-1

This class is geared for the independent learner, the student who is able to timely and consistently view and critique the presentations of Eugen Weber, Professor of History, University of California at Los Angeles, while also completing all reading and writing assignments under the constraint of minimal class meetings.  The class will include twenty-six half-hour television programs and six class meetings with reading quizzes, class presentations and writing assignments.

“The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters”  Francisco Goya, 1746-1828

Grade Breakdown

5 reaction papers                 40%        Due at each of the last five class sessions

5 class quizzes                     40%        Taken during the last five class sessions

Class participation/attendance       20%     (Includes reaction paper presentations)

When arrangements are made ahead of time, one-time limited make-up offered on reaction paper and class quiz.

Attendance

Obviously, attendance is very important with only six class sessions.  Do not miss any classes unless it is an absolute emergency or illness. Your final grade may suffer if you miss a class and you may not pass if you miss more than one class.
If you are ill, or if you can see that it will be impossible to attend one of our class sessions, e-mail me or talk to me before the class and we will try to minimize your grade penalty.  If you do not contact me, you will receive a “0” for the missing reaction paper, class quiz and class participation.  If you miss two classes it will be practically impossible to receive a passing grade for this class.  Friday, February 20 is the last day to officially drop BSU classes this semester.  You should officially drop this class if you can see now that you are going to miss more than one of our six class sessions.

Reaction Papers

These papers will be written in response to Professor Weber’s telecourse.  You will receive two grades, one for “form” (accuracy in grammar, spelling, organization and punctuation) and one for “content” (how well you analyzed his lectures assigned for that session.) The PBS Channel 4 programs may be viewed live (if you are a night owl-they are on from 3:00-4:00 a.m. on Saturdays) or taped (if you own a VCR and know how to program it) or watched at Boise State (second floor library in the Curriculum Resource Center – ask for the History of Western Civilization Idaho Public Television Telecourse, 102, Section 421.)

I suggest taking careful notes during the television programs in order to write a reasoned, organized reaction paper.  The reaction papers you hand in must be a minimum of two, double-spaced typewritten pages (maximum of three pages.)  Do not merely summarize or repeat what Professor Weber has taught.  Instead, reflect upon what he has said and write your reasoned, organized critique – your reaction to his lectures.  Do not waste time criticizing his method of lecturing – instead concentrate on the content of his message in the big-picture overview of Western Civilization.

Remember that these reaction papers are your reaction to the programs.  Several tips:  avoid the word “interesting.”  Use phrases like, “In my opinion,” “I particularly enjoyed/didn’t enjoy…”, “I believe…”, “I saw ______ in these programs,” “My reaction was…”, “Historically I think….”  Notice that the word “I” is prominent in a reaction paper.

  • Do you see philosophical themes emerging?
  • Do you see, as Voltaire says, that “History never repeats itself; man always does?”
  • Are there universal truths that emerge as you watch the unfolding of Western Civilization?
  • Does Professor Weber in this group of lectures have a different “take” on history than the authors of your assigned readings? (This would suggest a comparison/contrast paper.)
  • Is there a key issue or problem or an important question raised by Professor Weber in the programs assigned for this class session?
  • Do themes mentioned by Professor Weber tie in with other classes you have taken or other books you have read?

(These are just a few suggested approaches.  Be imaginative – come up your own approach – you will notice that many students say the same things on their reaction papers for a particular set of lectures; during class discussion you will be happier if your paper stands apart from the crowd.)

After writing your reaction paper, make corrections — read it critically for typographical, grammatical or spelling errors.  Be sure to incorporate all programs that are due for that class while writing your reflective, thoughtful, well-organized and clearly-written reaction paper.  Be sure to make arrangements in advance if you have to hand in your paper late — exceptions must be based on an emergency in order not to have a grade penalty.

Class Quizzes

All of the multiple choice questions that will be on the reading quizzes are on the Houghton Mifflin Website:  http://college.hmco.com/history/west/mckay/western_society/7e/students/ace.html

I will choose eight questions from each assigned chapter and these questions will constitute the reading quiz.

There is also a very good chapter outline section on the same website:  http://college.hmco.com/history/west/mckay/western_society/7e/students/outlines.html

Reaction Paper Class Presentations

We will not read reaction papers aloud.  We will go around the room to give each of you an opportunity to summarize the high points of your reaction paper before you hand it in at the end of class.

Mid-term/Final/Essay Paper

Relax – we will not have any of the above.  Your entire grade will be based on five reaction papers, five reading quizzes and class participation.

Schedule of Classes, Channel 4 Programs and Readings

Class #1 Wednesday, January 21, 2004
– Review syllabus and course objectives, Lecture Questions
Saturday, January 24  KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 127:  The Reformation, Program 128:  The Rise of the Middle Class
Saturday, January 31  KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 129:  The Wars of Religion, Program 130:  The Rise of Trading
Saturday, February 7 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 131:  The Age of Absolutism, Program 132:  Absolutism and the Social Contract
Reading Assignment before Class #2
– A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. IIPages xxi through 627Introduction, Chapter 16 (Absolutism & Constitutionalism in Western Europe ca 1589-1715), Chapter 17 (Absolutism in Eastern Europe to 1740), Chapter 18 (Toward a New World-view.)

Class #2 Wednesday, February 11
– Due on Wednesday, February 11, Class #2:Reaction paper assignment covering Programs 127-132During Class:

  1. Quiz over Chapters 16, 17 & 18 in A History of Western Society.
  2. Lecture/Questions
  3. Reaction paper class presentations/discussion

Saturday, February 14 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 133:  The Enlightened Despots, Program 134:  The Enlightenment
Saturday, February 21 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 135:  The Enlightenment and Society, Program 136:  The Modern Philosophers
Saturday, February 28  KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 137:  The American Revolution, Program 138:  The American Republic
Reading Assignment before Class #3
– A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. IIPages 629-723Chapter 19 (The Expansion of Europe in the Eighteenth Century),
– Chapter 20 (The Changing Life of the People),
– Chapter 21 (The Revolution in Politics, 1775-1815).

Class #3 Wednesday, March 3
– Due on Wednesday, March 3, Class #3: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 133-138, During Class:

  1. Quiz over Chapters 19-21 in A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II
  2. Lecture/Questions
  3. Reaction paper class presentations/discussion

Saturday, March 6 KAID,   Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 139:  The Death of the Old Regime, Program 140:  The French Revolution
Saturday, March 13 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 141:  The Industrial Revolution, Program 142:  The Industrial World
Saturday, March 20 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 143:  The Revolution and the Romantics, Program 144:  The Age of the Nation States
OR Sat., March 27 KAID,   Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– (Repeated due to Spring Break)    Program 143, Program 144
Reading Assignments before Class #4
– A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II, Pages 725-821, Chapter 22 (The Revolution in Energy and Industry),
– Chapter 23 (Ideologies and Upheavals, 1815-1850),
– Chapter 24 (Life in the Emerging Urban Society)

Class #4 Wednesday, March 31
– Due on Wednesday, March 31, Class #4: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 139 – 144, During Class:

  1. Quiz over Chapters 22-24 in A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II
  2. Lecture/Questions
  3. Reaction paper class presentations/discussion

Saturday, April 3  KAID,     Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 145:  A New Public
– Program 146:  Fin de Siecle
Saturday, April 10  KAID,   Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 147:  The First World War and the Rise of Fascism
– Program 148:  The Second World War
Reading Assignments before Class #5
– A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II, Pages 823-919
– Chapter 25 (The Age of Nationalism, 1850-1914),
– Chapter 26 (The West and the World),
– Chapter 27 (The Great Break:  War and Revolution)

Class #5 Wednesday, April 14
– Due on Wednesday, April 14, Class #5: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 145 -148, During Class:

  1. Quiz over Chapters 25-27 in A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II Lecture/Questions
  2. Reaction paper class presentations/discussion

Saturday, April 17  KAID,   Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 149:  The Cold War
– Program 150:  Europe and the Third World
Saturday, April 24 KAID,    Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 151:  The Technological Revolution
– Program 152:  Toward the Future
Reading Assignments before Class #6
– A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II, Pages 921-1025, Chapter 28 (The Age of Anxiety),
– Chapter 29 (Dictatorships and the Second World War), Chapter 30 (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations, 1945-1985)

Extra Credit opportunity:  Chapter 31 (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges:  1985 to the Present) –two page reaction paper due the evening of Class #6 on Chap. 31 if you want extra credit.

Class #6 Wednesday, April 28
– Due on Wednesday, April 28, Class #6: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 149 -152, During Class:

  1. Quiz over Chapters 28 – 30 in A History of Western Society from Absolutism…, Vol. II
  2. Wrap-up lecture/discussion/questions