History 397A: World War II in Europe

Saint Michael’s College

Fall 2009

 

Instructor

Dr. Jen Purcell              Email: jpurcell@smcvt.edu

                                    Office: Library 309

                                    Office Hours: Tuesdays 4-5.30

                                                            Wednesdays 10-11

 

Class Meets

W 2.30 – 5.50 in JEM, room 376

 

Description and Goals of the Class

 

Required texts

The following books are required and are available at the SMC bookstore or through online sources:    

 

Required:         

David Clay Large, Between Two Fires

Hannah Diamond, Fleeing Hitler

Gunnar Sonsteby, Report from #24

Robert Abzug, Inside the Vicious Heart

W.E. Samuel, German Boy

SP Mackenzie, The Second World War in Europe (2nd Ed)  -- Reference

 

In addition, there will be other required readings on reserve and/or eCollege.  These are marked as ‘R’ for Reserve or ‘E’ for eCollege in the schedule.

 

See the class schedule for reading assignments.  You must complete the reading before the scheduled class period.

 

Assignments

 

Class participation: Due to the length of each class meeting and because it increases opportunities for learning, there will be varied activities that require your participation. While I may not formally take attendance each day, I will be aware of your attendance.  Since the class meets only once a week and the seminar format necessitates participation, attendance is crucial.  You will only be allowed 1 unexcused absence.  Excused absences are for significant illness of you or family member or bereavement.  You must make every effort to let me know ahead of time if you need to be absent. 

 

There are three components to class participation:

1.      Attendance

2.      In-class assignments

3.      Reading and participation in class, assessed as follows:

 

  • An A-range grade for participation means that you always come to class having done the reading (demonstrated through active discussion of the assigned material in either small-group or whole-group settings), and always actively participate in class activities.
  • A B-range grade for participation means that you generally come to class having done the reading (demonstrated through active discussion of the assigned material in either small-group or whole-group settings), and generally actively participate in class activities.
  • A C-range grade for participation means that you do not clearly demonstrate that you have read and considered the material through your participation in either small-group or whole-group settings, and you do not consistently participate in class activities.
  • A D-range grade for participation means that you show little evidence of having done the reading and you do not participate in class discussion or activities.
  • An F for participation means that you show no regard for reading assignments nor involvement with the class

 

– Papers –

All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and stapled in the top left corner. 

 

Interwar Analysis Papers: Write 1-2 page analysis discussing:

  • The significant factors that the readings argue led to European (and eventually worldwide) conflict in the late-1930s. 
  • Discuss factors outlined in the readings which weakened the various European Governments and/or created rifts within societies. 

There are three papers listed.  You will be graded on two. 

See class schedule for due dates.

 

Wartime Analysis Papers: Write 1-2 page analysis discussing:

  • The key social and/or political issues outlined in the reading.
  • Discuss the wartime conditions of the nation under review.

There are three papers listed.  You will be graded on two. 

See class schedule for due dates.

 

Subject Analysis Papers: Write 2-3 page analysis discussing:

  • The major challenges that the subjects of the readings faced and how they handled them.
  • Respond personally to the reading according to thought questions given the week prior in class.

There are three papers listed.  You will be graded on two. 

See class schedule for due dates.

 

Discussion Leadership: In pairs, you will be assigned a class period during which you will be required to lead discussion.  You will create discussion questions for the reading, post them on eCollege, and lead the discussion of the readings for that day.  If you wish, you may use visual, audio or film aids to fuel discussion, but you must link anything you use to the readings for the day.  You are responsible for the course of discussion – if it lags, you must be prepared with another leading question or leading statement (which will hopefully fuel more discussion).  We will talk about the elements of a good discussion question on September 9.

 

Final Project: Throughout the semester, you will be working on your own research topic.  You will craft a research question and find five (5) secondary and five (5) primary sources which will help you answer that question.  For the final project, you will write a 7-8 page conference paper (plus bibliography) which will explore any topic of your choosing related to the Second World War.  The primary subject must be about Europe, although connections between Europe and America or other belligerents are acceptable.  Since events never happen in a vacuum, you may feel free to research the roots of the War or the impact of the War.  I suggest you read through the syllabus and flip through our book list for potential topics which seem interesting to you.  The key to any research project is your passion to learn about the subject. 

 

At the end of the semester, we will have 2 conference sessions at which you will present your paper.

 

Your project will be broken out into several steps throughout the semester.  You will notice them listed throughout the class schedule as Research.  Each of these steps will be graded and will count towards your final project grade.   

  1. Potential Research Topics: come to class with a list of 1-3 potential topics and ideas for sources (10%)
  2. Thesis statement and annotated bibliography: one paragraph setting out a research question for your topic and an annotated bibliography listing 2 primary and 2 secondary sources. (10%)
  3. Meeting: We will meet one-on-one at least once during the semester to discuss the progress of your research project.  These will be scheduled during the weeks of September 30 – Oct 14. (10%)
  4. Draft: at least 3 pages of text written towards your final paper. (10%)
  5. Presentation: This will be a conference paper that you will read to your colleagues in panel sessions during a ‘conference’.  These must be no more than 15 minutes long (7-8 pages, 12 font Times New Roman generally runs 15 minutes at a normal spoken pace).  We will discuss further how this will work and tips for success.  (30% for presentation and 30% for the paper).  Citation style must be Chicago Style.  If you do not know how to do this, please consult with me or a reference librarian.

Attendance at the Conference Sessions is Mandatory.  Failure to attend or inconsiderate behavior during sessions will result in a failing grade for your conference paper.

 

*******LATE PAPER POLICY******

Papers submitted after the due date, without legitimate excuse, will be marked down a letter grade for each class period a paper is late.

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Communications

Please feel free to contact me at any time to ask questions about the class.  I want you to be successful students and I hope you will enjoy this class.  If you are having trouble with your reading, writing, or having other difficulties, please let me know – I won’t know unless you tell me!

 

Class Expectations

For students:

I expect that you will

  • come to class prepared, having read the material that is assigned for that day
  • participate in class discussions and activities
  • arrive at class on time and not leave early
  • maintain an open classroom environment and show respect for each other’s comments and concerns, as well as those of the instructor.  History can be controversial, and we will probably discover that we have differing opinions on certain topics
  • discuss with the instructor if you have any circumstances that would make it difficult for you to carry out any of the assignments
  • not be disruptive during the class.  This could include, but is not limited to, speaking privately, sleeping in class, reading materials unrelated to this class (such as books or newspapers), failing to turn off pagers, cell phones, beepers, etc., using laptop computers for activities that are not applicable to this class, or acting inappropriately toward other students or the instructors.

 

For the instructor:

I make a commitment to

  • arrive at class on time
  • come to class prepared
  • encourage a comfortable environment in which diverse opinions are welcome
  • listen carefully to your concerns and questions
  • hand back assignments promptly
  • be available during office hours or by appointment, and through phone calls and emails

 

Academic Honesty

As good scholars and citizens, you are expected to uphold academic honesty in all aspects of the course.  The instructor and SMC maintains strict standards of integrity with regard to plagiarism. 

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.  According to the Academic Integrity Policy (St. Michael’s College Policy on Academic Integrity), plagiarism is the presentation of “another person’s ideas as your own, by directly quoting or indirectly paraphrasing, without properly citing the original source.  This includes inadvertent failure to properly acknowledge sources.” The penalties for plagiarism can range from receiving a failing grade for the plagiarized assignment to receiving a failing grade in the course.  In some cases plagiarism can result in suspension or expulsion from the college.

 

I know that there is pressure to perform and to make good grades – if you are feeling pressured to the point of plagiarism or cheating, ask me to help you so you do not have to go that far.

 

 

Grades

 

Class participation (including in-class assignments)         10 points

Discussion Leadership                                      20 points

Interwar Analysis Papers (2 total)                                 10 points

Wartime Analysis Papers (2 total)                                 10 points

Subject Analysis Papers (2 total)                                   10 points

            Conference Paper                                                         40 points

 

Total                                                                            100 points

 

A+ = 98-100               B+ = 88-89                  C+ = 78-79                 D+ = 68-69

A = 92-97                    B = 82-87                    C =   72-77                  D = 62-67

A- = 90-91                  B- = 80-81                  C- = 70-71                  D- = 60-61

 

Incompletes can be given only for the most extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the control of the student.  Incompletes are not given for low grades.  To be eligible for an incomplete, a student must have completed 75% of the work required for the course.

 

 

Class schedule

 

W Sept 2         Introduction   

           

W Sept 9          Interwar Europe (France, Austria, Germany, Italy)

Readings:       Large, 1-180

Paper:            Interwar Analysis #1

           

W Sept 16       Interwar Europe (Spain and Russia)

                         Readings:       Large, 223-317

Paper:            Interwar Analysis #2

 

W Sept 23       Interwar Europe (Britain) AND Research Workshop

Readings:        Large, 180-223; 317-364

                        Blythe, ‘The Dove’ (E)

Paper:              Interwar Analysis #3

Research:         Potential topics and sources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W Sept 30       Interwar Europe: Analysis AND Research Workshop

Readings:        Bell, ‘Another 30 Years’ War?’ (E)

                        Taylor, ‘A Revisionist View’ (E)

                        Eubank, ‘Appeasement and Appeasers’ (E)

Research:        Present research question to class

Panel Discussion:        Factors leading to War – Groups will take the following positions and argue the following as the potential roots of the War:

·        Political landscape (Fascism/Communism/Democracy)

·        Appeasement

·        Legacy of WW1 and Treaty of Versailles

·        Hitler’s War

·        Social and economic dislocation

 

W Oct 7          Wartime Germany

                        Reading:          Spielvogel, ‘Culture and Society in Nazi Germany’ (E)

                                                Spielvogel, ‘Nazi Germany in Wartime’ (E)

Paper:             Wartime Analysis #1

 

W Oct 14        Wartime France

Readings:        Diamond, Fleeing Hitler

                        Virgili, ‘Enfants de Boche’ (E)

                        Paper:             Wartime Analysis #2

                        Research:        Thesis Statement, Annotated Bibliography

                                                                       

W Oct 21        Wartime Britain

Reading:          Gardiner, ‘Blitz, 1940’ (E)

                         Gardiner, ‘He’s in the Army Now Mrs. Jones’ (E)

                         Summerfield, ‘Hey! You’re Dead!’ (E)

Film:               Mrs. Miniver

Paper:             Wartime Analysis #3

                       

W Oct 28        The Holocaust: A Different Perspective

Reading:           Abzug, Inside the Vicious Heart

Browning, ‘Ordinary Men’ (E)

                        Discussion:      What would you do?

                        Film:               TBA

Paper:             Subject Analysis #1

 

W Nov 4         Resistance and Collaboration

Reading:          Sonsteby, Report from #24

Paper:             Subject Analysis #2

                         

W Nov 11       A Child’s Perspective

                        Reading:          Samuel, German Boy

                        Paper:             Subject Analysis #3

 

W Nov 18       Postscript: The Postwar World

                        Reading:          TBA

                                               

W Nov 25       Thanksgiving Break: No Class!!!

                       

W Dec 2          Conference Sessions

           

W Dec 9          Conference Sessions

                                                           

*******LATE PAPER POLICY******

Papers submitted after the due date, without legitimate excuse, will be marked down a letter grade for each class period a paper is late.

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