Western Civilization II:
Renaissance to Enlightenment
Fall Semester 2004
Frank Luttmer
113 Classic Hall
M W F: 8:30-9:00 and by appointment
866-7205 historians@hanover.edu
Course Description and Objectives
The second in a four-course sequence in Western Civilization, this course is an introduction to the history of Europe and Europe's colonies (particularly British North America) during the early modern era. The purpose of the Western Civilization sequence is to provide students of history and the liberal arts with a solid foundation in the principal ideas, institutions, and events that have shaped Western civilization. It seeks to promote an understanding of historical context and perspective and to encourage the skills essential to historical inquiry, including the capacity to define historical questions, analyze primary documents, evaluate alternative interpretations, develop coherent arguments, and write clearly and effectively.
Readings
(Book Order Information)
1. Eugene Rice and Anthony Grafton, The Foundations of Early Modern Europe, 1460-1559 2nd edition
2. Richard Dunn, The Age of Religious Wars, 1559-1715 2nd edition
3. Roy Porter, The Enlightenment 2nd edition
4. Alan Taylor, American Colonies
5. Joseph Klaits, Servants of Satan
6. Eve LaPlant, American Jezebel
7. Readings from the Internet (links to which can be found in the schedule below)
Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.
1. Three exams (20% each)
The exams will consist of essay questions.
2. Research paper (20%)
Your paper may be on any topic in early modern European or American history. The paper is to be analytical and interpretive, not simply descriptive. It should present a thesis and develop an argument (and include potential counter-arguments). The length of the paper should be 5-6 pages. You are expected to use Interlibrary Loan to obtain sources.
The grade will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing.
3. In-class presentation (5%)
The five-minute presentation functions as a first draft of the research paper. It should identify the problem addressed in the paper, develop a thesis and argument, and entertain counter-arguments.
4. Prospectus (5%)
The prospectus should include (1) a draft of the first paragraph of the research paper (including the thesis statement), (2) an outline of the entire research paper (no more than one page), and (3) a bibliography of the research paper consisting of at least five substantive sources (this may vary depending on the topic).
5. Class participation (10%)
The success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions. Commentary on the presentations of others is included in the class participation grade.
Schedule
Sept. 7: Rice, 1-43; Diaz
Sept. 10: Rice, 45-76; Mun
Sept. 13: Rice, 77-109; Petrarch; Vergerius
Sept. 15: Rice, 110-145; Machiavelli
Sept. 17: Rice, 147-177; Luther
Sept. 20: Rice, 178-202; Calvin
Sept. 22: Dunn, 11-57
Sept. 24: Dunn, 58-102
Sept. 27: Dunn, 103-157
Sept. 29: Exam 1
Oct. 1: Klaits, 1-47
Oct. 4: Klaits, 48-127
Oct. 6: Klaits, 128-176
Oct. 8: No Class
Oct. 11: Dunn, 152-198
Oct. 13: Locke
Oct. 15: Dunn, 259-301
Oct. 18: Dunn, 199-258; Galileo
Oct. 20: Porter, Intro, 1-37; Hume
Oct. 22: Porter, 38-69
Oct. 27: Taylor, Intro, 3-49
Oct. 29: Taylor, 51-113
Nov. 1: Exam 2
Nov. 3: Taylor, 118-157
Nov. 5: No Class
Nov. 8: Presentations
Nov. 10: Presentations
Nov. 12: Presentations
Nov. 15: Presentations
Nov. 17: Presentations
Nov. 19: No Class
Nov. 22: Taylor, 159-203; Prospectus Due
Nov. 29: No Class
Dec. 1: LaPlante, Intro, 1-69
Dec. 3: LaPlante, 70-138
Dec. 6: LaPlante, 139-207
Dec. 8: LaPlante, 208-270
Dec. 10: Exam 3
Dec. 13: Research Paper Due
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