20803205European History Since 1815
Course Information
Description
This is an introductory course in European history concentrating on the 19th- and 20th-century experiences of European societies through examination of major social, economic, political and intellectual development. One emphasis is on the changes that caused the transformation of Europe from a pre-industrial to a modern industrial society. A second emphasis focuses on a specific place and time period in order to understand how this process of transformation affected different European nations at different points in their history.
Total Credits
3

Course Competencies
  1. Compare pre-industrial society with modern industrial society
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    examine information about the nature of pre-industrial society
    brainstorm on characteristics of modern society

  2. Analyze conflict between the old order and the new order that begins to emerge
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    differentiate between the theories or philosophies of liberalism, romanticism, and conservatism
    examine the events which create change in the power structure in the early nineteenth century
    assess the role of the middle classes in political and ideological upheaval

  3. Analyze the process of industrialization in nineteenth century Europe
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    define the Industrial Revolution
    examine the causes of the Industrial Revolution
    evaluate the impact of industrialization
    define socialism
    connect socialism and industrialization

  4. Analyze nineteenth century society and the modern state
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    define nationalism
    compare various manifestations of nationalism and the modern state in Germany, Britain and France
    examine the connections between nationalism, political revolution, and cultural identity

  5. Analyze the development of a mature industrial society
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    examine the nineteenth century city and the process of urbanization in Paris and Vienna
    examine the changing urban culture and social structure in western Europe
    examine the emergence of mass politics by looking at events in France in the Third Republic
    assess new types of culture in a mature industrial society (e.g., popular opinion, mass education, popular culture) by examining art and music in late nineteenth century

  6. Analyze economic change and imperial expansion in late nineteenth century Europe
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    define new imperialism
    examine changes in industry and technology in the late nineteenth century

  7. Analyze World War I as a bridge to the twentieth century
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    examine the causes of the first World War
    examine the impact of the war on the political aspects of European society
    examine the impact of the war on the cultural aspects of European society
    examine the impact of the war on economic aspects of European society
    examine the impact of the war on the status of women in European society

  8. Evaluate major changes in the nature of European society in the early twentieth century
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    examine various manifestations of political revolution
    determine the nature of the new culture
    assess the impact of the new technologies (autos, airplanes, radios) on European society

  9. Analyze alternatives to democracy and the emergence of a new way of organizing European society: totalitarianism
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    examine historical context, especially the Great Depression
    define elements of totalitarianism
    examine the impact of a totalitarian system on European society, especially Germany
    explore the human cost of totalitarianism during the Holocaust
    connect totalitarianism and World War II global conflict

  10. Analyze European society after 1945
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    explore the impact of World War II on Europe
    examine Europe and the origins of the Cold War
    examine the different paths of recovery from World War II between eastern and western Europe
    assess Europe's changing international role: decolonization

  11. Analyze post-industrial European society
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    summarize the two paths to prosperity between eastern and western Europe
    examine social conflict in post-industrial societies: the youth revolt and the Czech revolt
    examine the dismantling of the post-war settlement -- the end of the Cold War (1989) in Eastern Europe and the creation of the European community

  12. Employ appropriate strategies to reading texts
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    recognize subject matter of text and perspective of author
    engage in active reading strategies
    formulate questions and opinions while reading
    differentiate between primary and secondary source materials
    assess understanding and review texts as necessary
    synthesize opinions, questions and responses to the text to develop an interpretation

  13. Collaborate with fellow students
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    solve problems related to course content
    create answers related to course content working in small groups
    discuss issues related to readings or course content
    present summary of findings
    connect course content to external experiences

  14. Analyze historical materials
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    break apart a specific time period or concept into economic, social, political, and cultural elements
    draw conclusions
    make inferences
    connect information to ideas
    employ techniques of visual and auditory analysis

  15. Write about historical topics
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    employ primary and secondary sources
    comply with the conventions of standard written English
    present information which directly addresses historical issues
    organize thoughts logically and coherently

  16. Use elements of research
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay Exam and/or Paper
    Criteria
    find appropriate resources
    incorporate research into written work appropriately
    compile a bibliography
    support a thesis with sufficient evidence
    document sources using standard academic documentation