Winter 2002 T-R 11:00-12:15

Prof. M. Buddy Gray

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Syllabus

This course deals with Europe's history since the seventeenth century. It deals with fundamental questions that are crucial to understanding our current global situation. How did a tiny continent of agriculturists come to dominate the rest of the world through systems of empire and industry? How did the society of Europeans themselves change in this process? How did people’s identity change so that they identified less with their households, estates, villages, guilds and parishes than with nation-states? How did these nation-states come to clash with one another in two world wars of the twentieth century and in the cold war after 1945? What is Europe’s position in the world today and what are Europe’s society and culture like?

Required Texts:

Lynn Hunt, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia, Bonnie G. Smith, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, Vol. II: Since 1560 (Boston & New York: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2001).

Katherine J. Lualdi, Sources of The Making of the West: People and Cultures, Vol. II: Since 1560. (Boston & New York: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2001).

These two books are packaged together and available in the WMU Bookstore. Both are sold for the price of the single text under ISBN 0-312-39604-X. It is essential that you have both of the books. Consult with me if you intend to acquire your books elsewhere, so that you can be sure you are obtaining the correct ones.

In addition, please purchase at least three copies of the Rand McNally Map of Europe from the Bookstore supply desk. It is recommended that you purchase six copies. Three will be used for examinations, but you should have you own to use for practice purposes.

Course Format and Student Responsibilities:

There is a reading assignment in both the textbook and in the source book for every class. It is very important that you read the assignments before the class. Classes will consist of lecture and discussion. Discussion will focus especially, but not solely, on the primary sources. Attendance is essential. Attendance will be taken each class period. More than 5 absences will lower your final grade by _ letter. More than eight absences will lower your grade by a full letter.

Academic Integrity. A fundamental principle of university life is academic integrity. A university is "a purposeful community a place where faculty and students share academic goals and work together to strengthen teaching and learning on the campus." (WMU Student Code) This requires that every individual does his or her own work and that graded work is based on one’s own knowledge and skills. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. According to the rules of Western Michigan University, all suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. Please familiarize yourself with the Student Code: http://www.studentworld.wmich.edu/sja/studentcode.html

Grading System: There will be three examinations in the class. The first two are valued at 300 points each; the final is valued at 400 points for a total of 1000 points. The grading system is as follows:

920-1000 points = A (exceptional)

880-919 points = BA (excellent)

820-879 points = B (very good)

780-819 points = CB (good)

720-779 points = C (satisfactory)

680-719-points = DC (acceptable)

600-679 points = D (poor)

below 600 points = E (failing)

Communication with Professor Gray. I am in my office (Friedmann 4301) daily from 8:00-5:00 except for scheduled appointments, meetings, and out-of-town obligations. I am very happy to meet with you at any time to discuss the course or your work. Because my schedule is very full, it is best if you make an appointment before hand. The best way to do so is to contact me by e-mail: marion.gray@wmich.edu. I am also glad to discuss your issues via e-mail. You may also contact me by phone or voice mail: 387-4649. I will request an e-mail address from each student and will expect that you check your e-mail regularly. I will, from time to time, send important information about the class by e-mail.

Schedule of Assignments: