Early Modern Europe
HIST 202
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
|
| Course Cluster: Christianity Studies |
This course explores major developments in European, and Western history and culture from the late Middle Ages to the event of modernity, covering roughly three centuries from the late 15th century to the end of the 18th century. It will explore the interplay of politics, religion, economy, and culture in the successes and failures of the religious movements of the time; transformations of states from medieval monarchies to modern states; expansion of Europe across the Atlantic and into Asia and Africa; and the information revolution that came with the introduction of the printing press into Europe. We will discuss cultural and social transformations that ultimately helped shape modern Western society, typically associated with religious diversity, toleration, human rights, democracy, and consumerism. The course will also examine a broader European society and culture and its relationship with the rest of the world, as Europe became increasingly dependent on products supplied by the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Among questions explored will be: How did European expansion change European society? How did Western states transform to allow a participation of Jews in the political process of their states, but continue to exclude women and slaves? And what role did women and gender play in these transformations? Were women only nuns, wives, witches, and, occasionally, queens? How did the concept of marriage and family change following the Reformation? The course will cover the continuities and change in early modern Western society and will seek to show a geographically and religiously diverse range of experiences. |
|
Essential Capabilities:
Information Literacy, Writing
Writing as a process will be stressed, for papers there will be a draft stage and the final version. Each stage will be reviewed & feedback will be given. Library resources, electronic research methods, and the Endnote Program will be introduced and applied in this class.
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-Arcp/Hist)(HIST-MN)(HIST)(STS) |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Rene Descartes DISCOURSE ON METHOD (Hackett)
Lynn Hunt THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (Bedford)
Denis Janz A REFORMATION READER (Fortress Press)
Bartolome de Las Casas A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIES (Penguin)
Moses Mendelssohn JERUSALEM (Brandeis)
Benedict Spinoza THEOLOGICAL-POLITICAL TREATISE (Hackett)
Hobbes, LEVIATHAN (Hackett)
Mary Lynn Rampolla, POCKET GUIDE TO WRITING IN HISTORY
Merriman, A HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPE, Vol I (optional reading)
|
Examinations and Assignments:
Two papers (approximately 5-page long), take-home midterm and final exams.
Students will work in the special collections and the first assignment will result in an exhibition (online or on-site, to be determined). Students will have the opportunity to revise their papers. The course will require regular attendance, reading of both primary and secondary sources, and participation in class discussions (in class or online). |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
No late papers will be accepted. Pre-registered students must attend the first class, or they will be dropped from the class list.
This class fulfills the requirement for European concentration in History Major; it also counts toward the pre-industrial course requirement and toward History and Religion concentration. |
| Instructor(s): Teter,Magda Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: PAC002; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 40 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 10 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 10 | FR: 10 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
|
|