Villanova University HIS 3161: 20^th Century Europe Fall 2009, MW 3-4:15 pm, Bartley Hall, Room 1046
Dr. Paul Steege STAUG 428 x9-6963 paul.steege@villanova.edu http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/paul.steege/			Office hours: M 10:30-11:30 am; F 1-2 pm and by appointment
Course Objectives:	This course will focus on Europe’s effort to wrestle with the violent ruptures of the twentieth century. In particular, it will try to reconcile the century's first half of incredible violence with its second half of sustained peace. While the course will depend on the students' ability to critically analyze and deconstruct an array of texts and images and will work aggressively to foster those skills, it ultimately aims to challenge participants to explore the disconcertingly central place of violence in twentieth century Europe and the modern world more generally.
Required Materials:	Ernst J¸nger, Storm of Steel. Trans. Michael Hofmann. New York: Penguin, 2004 (ISBN 978-0-14-243790-2). Ruth Kluger. Still Alive: A Holocaust Girlhood Remembered. New York: Feminist Press, 2003 (ISBN 978-1-55861-436-9). David Clay Large. Between Two Fires: Europe's Path in the 1930s. New York: Norton, 1991. (ISBN 978-0-393-30757-) James J. Sheehan. Where have all the soldiers gone? The Transformation of Modern Europe. Boston: Mariner Books, 2009 (ISBN 78-0-547-08633-0). Todd Shepard. The Invention of Decolonization: The Algerian War and the Remaking of France. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-8014-7454-5).
Course Organization:	The course will utilize a combination of lecture and discussion. Even during lectures, I encourage students to pose questions, request clarifications, and challenge my assertions. Given the course's relatively small size, it will be possible to pursue topics with a certain flexibility in order to address particular questions and/or interests raised by students. This course will use a variety of books, and its focus on books (and the requirement that students read them) reflects the fact that history remains a book-driven field. I will work with students to develop strategies to manage the extensive reading requirements and will adjust the class schedule as needed. At the beginning of each class session, students will have the opportunity to pose questions about readings and/or previous classes. Come prepared to raise points that interest, disturb, or provoke you. During the course, I will at times distribute critical information via e-mail using your official Villanova e-mail address. You are responsible for checking that account regularly. If you use an outside e-mail address, be sure to set the preferences on your Villanova account to automatically forward messages to your preferred address. Check the online syllabus regularly for any updates.
Assignments:	EXAMS: All in-class exams are open book/open note. You may not, however, access your materials electronically during the exam. One in-class midterm exam (Wed., Sept. 30) The midterm will ask to students to prepare essays in response to a choice of questions. One in-class final exam (Tuesday, December 15) The final will be cumulative. You will be asked to answer two broad questions that test your ability to integrate the various elements of the course. 4-5 page Film Essay (due in class, Mon., Nov. 23): Students will select a film from a list to be provided by the instructor. After viewing the film independently, they will provide an essay response to a choice of questions provided by the instructor.  Participation: Regular, engaged participation is expected from all seminar participants. Students should ask questions and make comments that reflect their engagement with assigned readings and material explored in class. I do not expect you to have the answer but to demonstrate your energetic willingness to explore and wrestle with the subject of the seminar. Perfect attendance alone will produce a participation grade of C-.
	Final Grade:	Midterm Exam Final Exam Film Essay Participation		25 40 20 15
		TOTAL		100%
Academic Integrity and Grading:	Academic integrity rests at the foundation of intellectual life in a university. Plagiarism or cheating on any coursework will not be tolerated. Any case of academic fraud (copying of another student’s work, illicit use of notes on an exam, undocumented use of an outside source, etc.) will automatically result in a failing grade for the course and the submission of an academic integrity report to the university. If you have any questions about documenting sources or what constitutes academic fraud, please speak to me or consult the student handbook. I will discuss this in detail during the first week of the course. Grades will adhere to the criteria stated in the undergraduate catalog. As a reminder, an "A" is defined as: "the highest academic grade possible; an honor grade which is not automatically given to a student who ranks highest in the course, but is reserved for accomplishment that is truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding. It represents a superior mastery of course material and is a grade that demands a very high degree of understanding as well as originality or creativity as appropriate to the nature of the course. The grade indicates that the student works independently with unusual effectiveness and often takes the initiative in seeking new knowledge outside the formal confines of the course."
Disabilities:	Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations are encouraged to discuss options with us after class or during my office hours during the first two weeks of class. More information about documenting or addressing learning disabilities is available from Nancy Mott, Director of the Office of Learning Services (tel. x9-5636 or e-mail nancy.mott@villanova.edu) or from that office's web site.
Campus Services:	Villanova Writing Center in Old Falvey: 610.519.4604 Consultations should be arranged by appointment.
	Villanova Counseling Center in Corr Hall: 610.519.4050 The Counseling Center can help you make an adjustment in your study habits, deal with a crisis, or address an ongoing matter.
Lecture/Reading Schedule
Read all assignments before the class for which they are scheduled. Some readings are available via web links from the online syllabus. Please note: I will occasionally adjust the readings on this schedule. These changes will be announced in class and posted on the online version of the syllabus.
Mon., Aug. 24	Introduction: Europe at the end of the 19^th century
Wed., Aug. 26	Nationalism and the Nation-State Reading: Sheehan, to p. 21
Mon., Aug. 31	Empire and Imperialism Reading: Read ahead in Sheehan and/or start J¸nger
Wed., Sept. 2	Cultures of War, Cultures of Peace Reading: Sheehan, pp. 22-65
Mon., Sept. 7	LABOR DAY—NO CLASS
Wed., Sept. 9	WWI Reading: Continue J¸nger
Mon., Sept. 14	The Fronterlebnis Reading: Finish J¸nger
Wed., Sept. 16	Revolution Reading: Sheehan, pp. 69-91
Mon., Sept. 21	From the 1920s to the 1930s Reading: Sheehan, pp. 92-118
Wed., Sept. 23	From Anxiety to Crisis Reading: Large, pp. 138-222
Mon., Sept. 28	Spain and the Civil War Reading: Large, pp. 223-66
Wed., Sept. 30	Midterm Exam
Mon., Oct. 5	The Rise of the Nazis and the Coming of War Reading: Large, pp. 100-37     Start Kluger
Wed., Oct. 7	Total War Reading: Sheehan, pp. 119-44 Continue Kluger
October 12-16	FALL BREAK
Mon., Oct. 19	Holocaust and its Aftermath Reading: Continue Kluger
Wed., Oct. 21	Kluger Reading: Finish Kluger
Mon., Oct. 26	Cold War, Cold Peace? Reading: Sheehan, pp. 145-71
Wed., Oct. 28	From Black Market to Economic Miracle Reading: 172-95
Mon., Nov. 2	Decolonization Reading: Start Shepard
Wed., Nov. 4	Algeria Reading: Continue Shepard
Mon., Nov. 9	Modernization and the West Reading: Finish Shepard
Wed., Nov. 11	1968 Reading: TBD
Mon., Nov. 16	The Iron Curtain Reading: TBD
Wed., Nov. 18	Really Existing Socialism Reading: Vaclav Havel, "The Power of the Powerless"
Mon., Nov. 23	Protest and Terror No reading; Film Essay Due
November 24-27	Thanksgiving Break
Mon., Nov. 30	European Union? Reading: Sheehan, pp. 198-221
Wed., Dec. 2	1989 Reading: Selections from Timothy Garton Ash, The Magic Lantern
Mon., Dec. 8	War in Yugoslavia Reading: TBD
Wed., Dec. 9	A return of normalcy? (WM 2006) Reading: Sheehan, epilogue
Tue., Dec. 15	Final Exam: 10:45 am-1:15 pm