History 346 Syllabus

History 346: Recent European History

Prof. Jackson

San Francisco State University

Spring 2006

Tu Th 9:35-1050

HSS 151

Office: Science 224 Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, 11:30-1:00; by appointment

e-mail: jacksonc@sfsu.edu

web page: http://bss.sfsu.edu/jacksonc

This survey of 20^th century Europe is designed to provide an overview of one of the most tumultuous periods in human history. War, revolution, Communism, Fascism, and economic crises are juxtaposed with revolutionary movements in art and literature. Using history, literature, and film, the course will also investigate the causes of World War I, the interwar period, as well as the era following World War II, including the Cold War, Decolonization, and the social turbulence of the late 1960s. We will finish with the collapse of the Soviet bloc and some notes on ongoing history. In addition to the text, many of the readings are novels written during the 20^th century.

Note: This course fulfills the category B requirement of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century European Contributions to World Culture segment of the university’s Segment III requirement. Through the use of novels, films, historical essays and books, the students will develop the capacity to analyze and identify in writing the sources of social, cultural, and political stability and instability in European societies and between states during the 20^th century and beyond.

Learning objectives:

- Students will acquire knowledge of historical developments within Europe from the origins of World War I to the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

- Students will learn to analyze and identify the sources of social, cultural, and political stability and instability in European societies and between states during the 20th century.

- Students will understand the role class and ethnic difference played in the shaping of events and movements in 20th-century Europe.

- Through analytical papers, students will critically assess European historical development in the 20th century using both primary and secondary sources.

Course requirements: three brief (4-5 pages each) papers (each worth 25% of the final grade), and a final examination (worth 25% of the final grade) on May 23rd. Paper topics are linked to the web page.

The first paper will be due March 9th. The second paper will be due April 13th. The third paper will be due May 11th.

Late papers: Your paper will be graded down 5% for the first day it is late, 10% on the second day, 20% on the third day, and 40% on the fourth day. After that, do not bother to turn it in.

Note: Failure to complete all course requirements will result in a grade of "F." The instructor will not initiate withdrawals. If you choose not to complete the course, it is up to you to drop it in time (February 21st is the deadline). Incompletes will only be given in genuine emergency situations, and suitable documentation will be required.

Required Reading:

Timothy·Garton·Ash,·The·Magic·Lantern

Richard·Bessel,·ed.,·Life·in·the·Third·Reich·

Tadeusz·Borowski,·This·Way·for·the·Gas,·Ladies·and·Gentlemen

Hans·Fallada,·Little·Man,·What·Now?

Felix·Gilbert,·The·End·of·the·European·Era,·5th·edition

Arthur·Koestler,·Darkness·at·Noon

Lecture Outlines:

Lecture 1 - Introduction: Definition of an Era

Lecture 2 - Imperialism and Battleship Building

Reading: Gilbert, chaps. 1-3

Lecture 3 - "A Beautiful Summer...." The Origins of the First World War