Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

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HIS100ZA(史学 / History 100)
Introduction to Modern European History

Markus Winter

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies
Attached documents
Year 2024
Class code A6174
Previous Class code
Previous Class title (History of Modern Europe)
Term 秋学期授業/Fall
Day/Period 水2/Wed.2
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name 市外濠‐S603
Grade 1~4
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes)
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Duplicate Subjects Taken Under Previous Class Title ×
Category (commenced 2024 onwards) 100-level Introductory Courses(入門)
International Relations-Politics-Tourism
Category (commenced 2020-2023)
Category (commenced 2016-2019)

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Outline and objectives

The world we live in is a world of sovereign (nation-)states. It seems as if those countries we know today have always been there, at least in some form. This course will critically examine this view and look at the major developments in Western history from the 18th to the 20th century that shaped modern Europe:

The emergence of modern states, 1789, the idea of the nation and nationality; the Industrial Revolution; colonisation and imperialism; the idea of 'balance of power'; the onset of mass democracy; and two world wars.

Goal

1) Gain an in-depth understanding of the origin of European state-and-nation-building, its impact on the world, and how it still shapes our perceptions today; 2) Identify the major intellectual, economic, and political developments from 1789-1945; 3) understand how 'modernity' and 'modern life' took shape in Western Europe and why; 4) Train your academic writing and speaking skills.

Which item of the diploma policy will be obtained by taking this class?

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

Each class has three components: 1) The main component of the class is a series of lectures. 2) Each class will begin with a discussion part where students will pre-discuss the week's topic. 3) Lastly, at the end of the course, depending on the number of students, you will be asked to sit a final exam or give a brief presentation.

Feedback will be given to each individual student's graded work in writing.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

授業形態/methods of teaching:対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]:A State in the Middle Ages?

A State in the Middle Ages? Early modern states in Europe

2[対面/face to face]:Absolutism

'Absolute' rule? The Tilly Thesis; the court of Versailles

3[対面/face to face]:1789: the French Revolution

The Watershed: causes, triggers and ramifications

4[対面/face to face]:1789: the Aftermath & the rise of Napoleon

The triumph of absolutism after 1789? Napoleon's rise

5[対面/face to face]:The Concert of Europe - a first system of European International Relations

Europe's order post Napoleon: the system of Balance of Power

6[対面/face to face]:The Industrial Revolution

Europe - an Anomaly? Modernity and capitalism

7[対面/face to face]:Review & Mid-term Exam

A short exam on the topics covered so far

8[対面/face to face]:Nationalism and the Nation-State

The idea of the nation & nationalism

9[対面/face to face]:Heart of Darkness: European Imperialism

Colonisation; Imperialism; Orientalism;

10[対面/face to face]:Social Change: gender, family, consumer

A look at the social changes created by the previously studied developments

11[対面/face to face]:The Collapse of the Concert of Europe

The Road to War: the German Question & nationalism

12[対面/face to face]:'The Great War': World War I

'Total War'; uncertain outcomes; Treaty of Versailles

13[対面/face to face]:The Rise of Totalitarianism & World War II

The disenchantment of the world: the Holocaust

14[対面/face to face]:Final Exam

A final exam covering the topics of the class

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

1) Please conduct background research in preparation for the in-class discussion on each week's assigned topic. 2) In the case of no final exam: Brief presentation, due at the end of the term: Pick any European country you like and write about one specific aspect of its historical development that we address in this class. Preparatory study and review time for this class is ca. 4 hours per week.

Textbooks

Merriman, John. (2010). A History of Modern Europe (Volume Two): From the French Revolution to the Present. New York: Norton & Company.

References

http://legacy.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/modsbook13.asp A very useful collection of primary sources, such as letters from Marie Antoinette, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, or writings from von Metternich. Ordered according to topic (see menu bar on the left) & http://avalon.law.yale.edu/default.asp
Similar to the Fordham collection, but listed chronologically.

Grading criteria

Participation: 25%; Mid-term exam: 25%; Final Presentation or Final Exam (depending on number of students): 50%

Changes following student comments

Each lecture will start with a ca. 20 minute pre-discussion of the main themes of the week.

Prerequisite

None.