INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the History of Modern Western Civilizations. This course covers the major developments in knowledge, philosophy, politics, society, art, economics, and technology over the last two and a half centuries. It is designed to make students fully appreciative and informed of our intellectual heritage. The primary focus for the course is Europe, although other areas of the world are examined when relevant.
The course will follow the "ideas approach" to the study of history, where students will study the events and people from which and whom the ideas and values we hold today originated. Concepts such as nationalism, individualism, and revolution are all emerge from this period of history; they are the ideas that inform and characterize the modern world in a way unlike any previous era.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Students will:
understand and appreciate the contributions of significant people towards the shaping of the "Modern" consciousness,
become aware of the major changes and growth in society and its institutions in the West in the past two centuries,
To appreciate the role and relevance of history in understanding the late 20th Century,
become aware of the benefits and dangers of using history to promote contemporary goals and ideas
develop the following academic skills:
the use of university library resources,
the use and critical reading of primary and secondary source materials,
the preparation of formal history essays,
the preparation and presentation of formal seminars
UNITS OF STUDY
2. French Revolution and Napoleon
3. Romanticism, Nationalism, Industrialism
4. Ideologies of the 19th Century
5. The 20th Century and The Rise of Fascism
6. Independent Study
EVALUATION
Tests 16%
Quizzes 4%
Independent Study 25%
process - 10
product - 10
seminar - 5
Final Exam 25%
Unit Assignments
There will be numerous assignments in each unit, any of which may be used in the creation of tests, quizzes and the exam. Due Dates for work to be marked will be decided when the assignment is given. Any work submitted after it has been marked will be penalized 50%.
Any assignment submitted for marking may be re-submitted to increase the mark, adding up to 50% of the marks missed on the first effort. The due date for all such work is the end of the term. Late marks will still apply.
Tests and Quizzes
All quizzes will be announced, and their content will be made clear. Missed quizzes result in a mark of 0, and cannot be made up.
There will be five unit tests, and each is to be written on the date it is assigned. Any test missed due to illness must be written the first day back. Tests may be re-written, which can add up to half of the marks not earned on the original test. The requirements for each test will be explained when the test is returned. The lowest test score will be dropped at the end of the course.
Independent Study and Seminar
Each student is required to complete an independent study, the format of which will be decided upon by the student, with the teacher's approval. See the Independent Study handout for details.
Each student must also prepare a seminar, based on Icons of the 20th Century.
In closing. . .
The class format is one which includes discussion, readings, and lectures. Modern Western Civilizations is the most academically challenging course offered by the Social Studies Department, and the standards required to succeed will be set high. Students who are disruptive will not be welcome in class. I will ask students to leave the class if they are unable to remain focussed on the class activity or continuously interrupt, especially during lectures.