History 492/592
The End of the Old Order
Fall 2009
Syllabus
Professor: Steven J. Bucklin
Class Room: Old Main 308
Class Time: 14-1450, MWF
Office Hours: MWF 0900-1030 and 1500-1630; and by appointment
Office: 205 East Hall
Phone: 677-5575
email: sbucklin@usd.edu
home page: http://www.usd.edu/~sbucklin
INTRODUCTION
Thomas Kuhn asserted in his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions that the state of scientific knowledge in a given society underpins its paradigm of the universe that surrounds it, both physical and social. This course will offer us the opportunity to explore the old paradigms of science, economics, and politics and the challenge to them that resulted from the work of Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein (among others) in evolutionary science and in physics; the development of so-called "scientific" socialism at the hands of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels; and the impact of the American and French revolutions on the "old order" of political organization. Chronologically, the course will focus on the late 18th century through the years just prior to World War II.
REQUIRED BOOK AND LINKS
William S. Allen, The Nazi Seizure of Power
Sheila Fitzpatrick, The Russian Revolution, 1917-1932
Alan Brinkley, Voices of Protest
ATTENDANCE
Why not?
DISCUSSION
You should come to class prepared to lead or to join discussion of the assigned readings. The quality of our discussions will depend in large part upon your preparation and willingness to participate in them.
EXAMS
There will be three essay exams worth twenty-percent of your total grade. The exams, including the final, are not comprehensive.
PAPERS
All students will write a three-to-five page review of two of the books. The reviews will be written according to the Writing Reviews worksheet. Each review will be worth twenty-percent of your course grade. I do not, under most circumstances, accept late papers and I do not accept under any circumstances additional work ("extra credit") to supplement poor performance.
Graduate students will write either a research paper or historiographical essay on an approved topic in addition to the two reviews. Discuss your proposed topic with me before 11 September.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty may be:
a. Given a zero for that assignment.
b. Allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit.
c. Assigned a reduced grade for the course.
d. Dropped from the course.
e. Failed in the course.
As for plagiarism, the simple rule is that your work must be your own. If you use ideas, organization, wording, or anything else from a source, cite it. When in doubt, cite a source!
INCENTIVES
I factor in your attendance and contributions in class to your final grade in the event that it is on the border between two grades. I do not accept additional work ("extra credit") to supplement poor performance.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester. Contact Ernetta L. Fox, Director, Disability Services, Room 119 Service Center, 677-6389
Web Site: www.usd.edu/ds
E-mail: dservices@usd.edu
PROBLEMS
Should you have a problem with the course that you find difficult to discuss with me or that is about me, you should contact the History Department administrative staff at 207 East Hall (677-5218) or Dr. Judith Sebesta, the Chairperson of the History Department.
FREEDOM IN LEARNING
South Dakota Board of Regents Faculty must include the following statement in all course syllabi:
Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the dean of the college or school that offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1 (2, 4 Sep)
Introduction to Course; Read Fitzpatrick at your own pace
Week 2 (7, 9, 11 Sep) No Class Labor Day 7 Sep
Read Fitzpatrick at your own pace
Week 3 (14, 16, 18 Sep)
Read Fitzpatrick at your own pace
Week 4 (21, 23, 25 Sep)
Read Fitzpatrick at your own pace
Week 5 (28, 30 Sep; 2 Oct)
First Exam Friday 2 October STUDY AREAS
Week 6 (5, 7, 9 Oct)
Read Allen at your own pace
Week 7 (12, 14, 16 Oct) No Class Native American Day 12 Oct
Read Allen at your own pace
Week 8 (19, 21, 23 Oct)
Read Allen at your own pace
Week 9 (26, 28, 30 Oct)
Read Allen at your own pace
Week 10 (2, 4, 6 Nov) STUDY AREAS EXAM 2
Read Allen at your own pace
Week 11 (9, 11, 13 Nov) No Class Veterans' Day 11 Nov
Second Exam 13 November; Read Brinkley at your own pace
Week 12 (16, 18, 20 Nov)
Read Brinkley at your own pace
Week 13 (23, 25, 27 Nov) No Class Thanksgiving 27 Nov
Read Brinkley at your own pace
Week 14 (30 Nov; 2, 4 Dec)
Read Brinkley at your own pace
Week 15 (7, 9, 11 Dec)
Read Brinkley at your own pace
Week Sixteen FINALS WEEK
Final Exam 1230-1430 hours, Wednesday 16 December STUDY AREAS FINAL EXAM