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WORLD WAR I EUH 4294 AB 041
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WORLD WAR I EUH 4294 AB 041
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World War I is often seen as the birth trauma of the 20th century, a watershed dividing the security and stability of the prewar world from the terrible potential of a century of total war. Interpretations of the causes and results of the war are still hotly debated: who or what can be "blamed" for this war? did it lead to World War II? This seminar will examine the experience of the people and societies that lived and died in the first total war.Goals: Students who successfully complete the course will have (1) examined and questioned the origins and nature of the war and its effects on European societies; (2) worked with primary and secondary materials to develop their own interpretations; and (3) researched and interpreted one aspect of the era of World War I in depth, reflected in an oral presentation and a substantial paper.
Grading: Grades will be based on class participation (15%), three reviews (15% each; see explanations below), and a major research paper of approximately 12-15 pages in length (40%). A final examination may be required of any student who misses more than one class session, and is an option for any student who chooses it. In the case of the final exam option, the weighting is as follows: Class participation 5%, reviews 10% each, term paper 35%, final exam 30%.
The plus-minus grading system will be used. The grading scale is 97-100 A+, 93-96 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 70-76 C, 60-69 D, below 60 or cheating or plagiarism, F.
Class Participation: This is a seminar, and much of its value rests in class discussion. Students should come to class prepared to analyze, question, and discuss the issues raised for the session. Because of the importance of class discussion, attendance will affect your grade. The class participation score for your grade will be based on attendance, any quizzes or writing projects in class, and the instructor's evaluation of your contribution to class discussions. Any student who misses more than one class, regardless of the reason, may be required to take a final examination.
We will use Blackboard (http://bb6.unf.edu/) for posting class materials and assignments, and for discussion.Required reading:
Gordon Martel, Origins of the First World War, 3rd. edition (Pearson Longman, 2003)
Hew Strachan, The First World War (Viking, 2003).
Leonard V. Smith, Stéphane Audoin-Rouzeau, and Annette Becker, France and the Great War (Cambridge, 2003).
Roger Chickering, Imperial Germany and the Great War, 1914-1918, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, 1998).Reviews:
All reviews should be three to four pages long, and must be typed, double-spaced. Quotations or citations from the book being reviewed may be referenced in parentheses in the text; all others must take standard foot/end note form. The department's format is Chicago Manual of Style; you may consult Turabian, or use the online style sheet, in Clifford's Advice at http://www.unf.edu/~clifford/ca/ca2.html
Your grade for the review includes not only the written version your turn in, but also your presentation of your critical analysis in the class discussion on the day the review is due.(1) Reviews for the two special sessions:
There will be two special sessions, one on the Home Front on 1 October and one on the Military Front on 22 October. Each student must participate these sessions by preparing a critical review of one of the readings listed for the session as well as participating in discussion. A bibliography of suggested readings will be posted on Blackaboard and handed out in class; students will make their choices in conference with the instructor, so that where possible these readings can be coordinated with the student's term paper topic.(2) Reviews of literary accounts:
Each student will read and review one of the literary accounts of the war listed below. These reviews are due 5 November, when we will discuss them.John Dos Passos, Three Soldiers (Modern Library, 2002).
Robert Graves, Good-Bye to All That: An Autobiography. (Anchor, 1958)
Margaret R. Higonnet, ed., Nurses at the front: Writing the Wounds of the Great War (Northeastern Univ. Press, 2001)
Jaroslav Hasek, The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War, Book One. (1st Books Library, 2000).
Ernst Junger, The Storm of Steel. (Trans. Michael Hoffman; Penguin, 2004)
Helen Zenna Smith, Not So Quiet: Stepdaughters of War. (Feminist press at CUNY, 1989)
Rebecca West, The Return of the Soldier read together with Pat Barker, Regeneration.Term Papers:
Each student will write a 12-15 page research paper. A list of possible topics will be posted on the class Blackboard site, to provide some initial ideas. Students must turn in a list of three topics, in priority order, on 3 September. Topics will be finalized in individual conferences scheduled between 3 and 10 September. All papers must be typed, double-spaced, with the appropriate research notes. You may use the department's standard form, Chicago Manual of Style, by consulting Turabian or Clifford's Advice, or you may use any of the major footnote/end note styles as long as notes are not included in the body of the paper. I prefer footnotes, but you may use endnotes if you or your word processing program prefer.
At specific times during the term elements of your paper will be due. Failure to turn in a creditable bibliography, primary source analysis, or thesis statement will result in loss of points from the grade for the paper. At the end of the term each student will present a brief (10-15 minutes) oral summary of the paper.
Dates for oral presentations will be assigned on 15 October.
Term papers are due no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 8 December.
Class Schedule and Assignments:
27 August - Introduction. After class, read the introductions to all of the required books.
3 September - Origins of the War. Read Martel, The Origins of the First World War. Priority list of 3 term paper topics due. Make appointment for conference about final choice.
10 September - August-September 1914: the war of movement. Read Strachan, chs. 1-2; Chickering, ch. 1; Smith et al, ch. 1. Reading assignments for Home Front session will be made.
17 September - "Settling in:" the strategic, economic, and political dilemmas of 1915. Read Strachan, ch. 5 and ch. 6 to page 184; Chickering, ch. 2; Smith et al, ch. 3. Reading assignments for Military Front session will be made.
24 September - 1915-1916: Toward a global war. Read Strachan, chs. 3-4. Initial bibliography for research paper due, including journal articles and primary source(s) as well as books.
1 October - Special session on the Home Front. Read Chickering, ch. 4; Smith et al, ch. 2; be prepared to discuss that and the article or book on which you have written a review for this session (see review section above).
8 October - 1916: From Verdun to the "turnip winter." Read Strachan, ch. 6 from p. 184, ch. 7; Chickering, ch. 3. Turn in a 1-2 page analysis of one primary source to be used in your research paper.
15 October - 1917: Mutiny and Revolution. Read Strachan, ch. 8; Chickering, ch. 5; Smith et al, ch. 4. Oral presentation dates will be assigned.
22 October - Special session on the Military Front. Review what you have read, and use it as background for your discussion of the article or book you read specifically for this session.
29 October - Ending the war. Read Strachan, ch. 9; Chickering, ch. 6; Smith et al, 146-159. Turn in a one-paragraph thesis statement for your research paper.
5 November - The Great War and Modern Memory: remembering, memorializing, drawing lessons? Read Strachan, ch. 10; Chickering, Epilogue; Smith et al, 159-conclusion. Be prepared to discuss that and the book(s) on which you have written a review for this session. Special session on literary reflections of the war.
12, 19 November, and 3 December - Presentation of term papers.
Papers due in the history office no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, 8 December.
Friday, 10 December: Final Exam (if necessary).