History 102: Western Civ
Rev. Michael B. Sullivan, CSC
Office hours: Mon/Wed 11:30-2:00/ 3:15-3:45; Tue/Thu 2:30-3:30
Vincent 193: Phone: 239-8419
I Course description, goals, objectives
The primary purpose of this course is to examine many aspects of modern history. Besides consideration of political activities and institutions, attention will be given as well to significant intellectual, social, cultural and religious changes which occurred during this period.
Since this is a survey course, the student, besides acquiring a broad knowledge of the past, will by researching, analyzing and evaluating primary and secondary sources develop an ability to accurately and critically read, weigh evidence, make judgments, draw conclusions, and interpret historical writings in their political, social, religious, moral, and cultural contexts and to clearly, cogently, and concisely express in writing these findings and insights
The material to be covered in the semester will includes the following: Rise of Sovereign Monarchs, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, French Revolution, American Revolution, Socialism, Nationalism, Marxism, Russian Revolution,
World War I, Fascism, Nazism, World War II.
II Required texts
The primary text for the course is Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics and Society, Vol. II, by Marvin Perry, 7th edition. It will be referred to in the Syllabus as T.
The book of outside(but required) readings for the course is Sources of Western Tradition, Vol. II, by Marvin Perry, 5th edition. It will be referred to in the Syllabus as S.
III Course grades and requirements
The final grade for their course will be calculated on the basis of scores derived from each of the following areas:
1) three exams(10% each) plus the final(cumulative) exam(10%). Check the Syllabus for the exam schedule.
2) two short papers(10% each). See below for further elaboration. Check Syllabus for paper schedule.
3) daily (20) quizzes(2% each) questions based on reading assignments.
4) daily (20) one page resumes(1/10% each) analyzing, summarizing, critiquing
and drawing conclusions based on evidence from primary sources taken from daily reading assignments.
The papers will be four pages essays on topics related to course material.
Source material for essays can include scholarly books and articles from journals, and magazines. The bibliography for each essay must contain at least three sources, primary and secondary, from published books.
Depth and quality of thought, expression, and research will be among the chief factors in determining the grades of these essays, together with spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.
Papers must be turned in on the due date or earlier unless explicit exemption has been obtained from the professor. Failure to submit papers on time will result in the reduction of the grade by half a letter per day. Papers submitted a week or more late and without an extension given by the professor will receive an F grade.
It is strongly recommended that students make an appointment with the professor after
the first paper has been graded and returned and before the next one is due so as to discuss the merits of the first and means for improving the second essay.
Essay topics and due dates
Essay One: Due Class 9
Enlightenment and Its Impact on Western Culture: Positive or Negative
Essay Two: Due class 19
Darwinism and Its Impact on Western Culture: Positive or Negative
IV. Class attendance/withdrawal
Students are expected to attend all classes: daily quizzes (2 points each) will be administered at the beginning of virtually every class.
No make-up quizzes will be provided for those who are absent from class or who miss the quiz because of tardiness.
Unless explicit permission is given by the professor early departures from class will be counted as an absence
Exemptions from the final exam will be granted to 2 categories of students:
1) those with perfect attendance records(zero absences);
2) those with A- averages(90+) and not more than two class absences.
V. Academic honesty policy
Holy Cross College expects honesty from all students in their
academic work. Refer to the student handbook for information
regarding the college’s academic honesty policy
VI Syllabus (All assignments are listed for the day they are due)
Class Date Assignment
1. 1/11 Tu Introduction
2. 1/13 Th T 378-392
S 22-25 Leviathan
3. 1/18 Tu T 392-406
S 25-28 English Declaration
4. 1/20 Th T 409-420
S 32-35 On the Revolutions.../Attack....
5 1/25 Tu T 420-424
S 43-45 Attack on Authority
6 1/27 Th T 427-445
S 75-77 Encyclopedia
7 2/01 Tu T 445-457
S 56-59 Second Treatise.../Declaration of
8. 2/03 Th T 463-476
S 105-107 Declaration of Rights
9 2/08 Tu T 476-486
S 116-118 Republic of Virtue
PAPER DUE TODAY
10 2/10 Th T 489-500
S 122-124 Napoleon Bonaparte
11 2/15 Tu T 500-504
S 125-126 Napoleon Bonaparte
12 2/17 Th T 508-527
EXAM I
13 2/22 Tu T 530-543
S 148-150 Tables.../Milton
14 2/24 Th T 543-556
S 155-156 On Liberty
15 3/01 Tu T 560-572, 577-580
S 150-152 Reflections on...
16 3/03 Th T 585-596
S 180-183 A History of...
17 3/15 Tu T 596-608
S 183-189 Communist Manifesto
18 3/17 Th T 612-616
S 162-164 Young Italy
19 3/22 Tu T 616-622, 656-664
S 202-205 The Yearning For...
PAPER DUE TODAY
20 3/24 Th T 625-634
S 232-233 Jewish France
21 3/29 Tu T 638-648, 668-675, 692-693
S 242-246 Confession.../British Empire
EXAM II
22 3/31 Th T 696-706, 710-723
S 278-283 A Note.../Civilization
23 4/05 Tu T 729-742
S 293-294 Greatness of War
24 4/07 Th T 742-762
S 301-302/307-309 Paris.../All Quiet on...
25 4/12 Tu T 766-777
S 324-325 Trotsky...
26 4/14 Th T 777-804
S 360-367 Mein Kampf
27 4/19 Tu T 836-864
S 397-401 In Defense of /A Disaster...
28 4/21 Th T 869-886
EXAM III
29 4/26 Tu T 809-831
S 524-528 The Betrayal of the West
30 4/28 Th Epilogue
FINAL EXAM AS SCHEDULED BY THE COLLEGE