All students should gain an understating of European History from approximately 1300-present (Plague to European unification). Students are to demonstrate their understanding by writing and commenting upon social, political and economic aspects of the period. However, survey knowledge of the period is just the tip of the iceberg. Through a variety of analytical tasks performed both individually, and as groups, students will be encouraged to develop highly transferable skills that will enhance learning and professional life well outside of this specific discipline. Such skills include:
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Understanding the limits of impartiality and the use of rigorous honesty in assessing and analyzing data/documents
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Ability to provide generic, entertaining and accurate descriptions of pivotal events and periods of European history
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An insightful, pragmatic approach to contemporary events and an ability to assess and link them to relevant historical background.
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Comparative and evaluative skills in assessing web-based resources
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Research techniques including traditional library skills and contemporary use of electronic resources
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Seminar skills such as how to organize and construct logical debate, discussion and reasoning.
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Understanding and respecting the limits of Cause and Effect reasoning
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Time management and organization skills
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Improved oral and written skills
Course Themes
The essential, overriding theme of the course is to encourage students to comprehend history as a changing subject – that the past is constantly reinterpreted due to the changes in present day society. This concept, I believe, helps to develop a life-long passion for historical study. A similar, more direct emphasis is placed upon viewing European history from ‘below’. Despite Europe’s obvious connotations with royalty and aristocracy, this course is not a primer for memorizing a litany of kings, queens and battles fought. Rather students are encouraged to see how the ordinary people, affected by social, environmental, and religious upheaval, were the real catalysts for change.
Course Format
The majority of the classes will be seminar and lecture based. In order for this to be effective students must keep up with the assigned reading – which is seldom more than 6 pages a day. A great deal of discussion is involved, and all students are expected to participate and occasionally lead a discussion/seminar
Assessment
Assigned Reading Quizzes - 20%
Free Response and Document Based Questions - 20%
Unit Tests - 20%
Performance - 20%
Semester Finals - 20%
Exams and Quizzes
To ensure students keep up with reading assignments, there will be frequent assigned reading quizzes, centered on the given reading and content of the previous class. Each unit cumulates with a multiple choice and written response exam.
Performance
Performance is graded on the students ability to commit solidly to group work, meet deadlines, and carry out classwork assignments according to instruction and to a high standard.
Essays and DBQs
Each unit of the course will be accompanied with an essay question and/or a DBQ. Essay questions will be given at the start of each section and students are encouraged to tackle the essay as early as possible as it will enhance current content knowledge. Essays will receive a peer assessed grade and an instructor grade.
