Homepage: http://faculty.luther.edu/~slindmar

The Course

History 150 covers the development of modern European civilization from A.D. 1648 to the present. It will examine some of the major historical developments in that period, including the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, the age of the French Revolution and Napoleon, the nineteenth century, the "Thirty Years War of the Twentieth Century;" the Cold War; and European Integration.

This class consists primarily of lectures and discussion, supplemented by films or slides. The lectures are not simply a repetition of information found in the texts. Examinations will cover material from the reading assignments as well as the lectures and discussions.

Throughout the course, you are encouraged to ask questions. If you have questions that you believe are too detailed to ask in class, or which may be outside the general interest of the class, please visit me in my office.

Required Reading:

TEXTS:

The Western Heritage, Volume II, Ninth Edition, by Donald Kagan, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner

The Social Dimension of Western Civilization, Volume 2: Readings from the Sixteenth Century to the Present, Fifth Edition, by Richard M. Golden

"Supplemental Course Materials" --available online in two formats: in PDF format on this website, or as part of the Katie program at http://katie.luther.edu. These files contain reading assignments, map quiz identification items, guidelines for book reviews, study guides for examinations, etc. (Please note the capitalization--the system is case sensitive.)

You will also be required to read one book (approximately 200 pages) dealing with one of the subjects covered in class, and present a written book review based on that reading. Detailed information regarding the book reviews is provided in separate handouts in the Supplemental Course Materials.

Highly Recommended: an historical atlas (such as the Hammond Historical Atlas of the World, or a similar work) for reference throughout the course, and in studying for map quizzes. A copy of the Hammond Historical Atlas of the World will be on reserve in Preus Library.

Reading Schedule

The brief course outline indicates reading assignments for each section of the course. Because of the amount of reading required, you cannot expect to digest all of the material at one time. Because of the short duration of this class, you should thus try to read part of the assigned material daily. Reading the material before the subject is covered in class will make it easier for you to understand the lectures, and help you formulate questions which will help you learn the material more effectively.

Course Structure

This class consists primarily of lectures, supplemented by films or slides. The lectures are not simply a repetition of information found in the text. Examinations will cover material from the reading assignments as well as the lectures. There will also be in-class discussions of topics of interest to the class. You will be responsible for lecture and discussion material whether or not you are in class, and it will be very difficult to get a passing grade if you frequently miss lectures. Furthermore, attendance may be considered when determining "borderline" grades.

Although this is primarily a lecture course, you are encouraged to ask questions. If you have questions that you believe are too detailed to ask in class, or which may be outside the general interest of the class, please visit me in my office.

Assignments and Examinations

two midterm examinations (100 points each)(March 3 and April 21)

one final examination (partly comprehensive) (100 points)(At officially scheduled time during finals week: 1:15 - 3:15, Wednesday, May 19)

one 2-3 page critique of a scholarly book review (25 points)(Due March 15)

one 3-5 page book review (100 points) (Due April 26)

three map quizzes (25 points each) (February 19, March 31, and May 5)

Total: 500 points

Please note: A grade of zero (0) for any of these assignments will result in a final grade of "F" in the course. Under no circumstances will an "incomplete" be given if the book review assignment has not been completed. (A zero for a single map quiz will not result in an automatic "F;" however, a total score of zero for all of the quizzes will result in failure in the course.)

Course grades are based on completion of these assignments only. There are NO provisions for "extra credit" work to supplement these requirements.

Dates listed are tentative, and subject to possible change. PLEASE NOTE: Although there may be reminders announced in class, you are responsible for meeting all assignment deadlines listed in the Supplemental Course Packet. Any changes to those deadlines will be announced in class; you are responsible for meeting revised deadlines even if you were not in class when the changes were announced.

Violations of the Honor System will be referred to the Honor Council, which will assess the appropriate penalties.