Fordham University
Thierry Rigogne
HIST 1075 - R02
Dealy Hall 112
Mon – Thu 11:30-12:45
Understanding Historical Change in
Early Modern Europe
EP seminar – Spring 2011
Description
T
D
his EP seminar will chart European history from 1500 to 1800. Rather than survey the course of events during
three centuries and in over thirty countries, we will focus on a few key themes in the social, political cultural, and
intellectual histories of Europe: material conditions and demographic hardships in a peasant world, the rise of the
modern state and the apogee of court culture in absolute monarchies, the birth of the consumer in the first global
economy, the Enlightenment and the advent of political modernity during the French Revolution. Throughout the
seminar, we will focus particularly on the position and struggles of women in society.
uring the seminar, we will trace the origins and follow the development of concepts, currents of thought,
political systems, and cultural models that have shaped our modern world. At the same time, this course will
introduce you to history as a discipline and to historical thinking—teaching you how to engage with texts and
images, to analyze them critically and to develop convincing oral and written personal arguments from evidence. One of
my main goals is that you become critical readers and astute observers of the world around you by learning how to put all
kinds of information in proper context and perspective.
Required readings
W
e will use a broad range of historical documents, from intellectual treatises to pamphlets, from political
statements to works of fiction, images or music, as well as studies by historians. During group discussions we
will read, analyze and discuss historical documents, drawing out their connections with concepts or analytical
frameworks developed in lectures.
Textbook
- Judith Coffin Western Civilizations, 2nd brief edition, vol. 2 (W.W. Norton, 2009) ISBN: 978-0393932362.
- Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 6th ed. (Bedford, 2009) ISBN: 9780312535032.
Books
- Natalie Z. Davis, The Return of Martin Guerre (Harvard University Press, 1984) ISBN: 978-0674766914
- Voltaire, Candide, ed. Daniel Gordon, Bedford Series in History and Culture (Bedford, 1999) ISBN: 978-0312148546
- John E. Wills, Jr., 1688: A Global History (W.W. Norton, 2002) ISBN: 978-0393322781.
- Timothy Tackett, When the King Took Flight (Harvard University Press, 2003) ISBN: 9780674016422
Movies
- The Return of Martin Guerre, directed by Daniel Vigne (1982)
- Ridicule, dir. by Patrice Leconte (1996)
- Marie-Antoinette, dir. by David Grubin (2006) [not the Sofia Coppola movie]
- Danton, dir. by Andrzej Wajda (1982)
A
ll books are available in paperback and have been ordered by the Fordham University Bookstore. Please make
sure you get the exact editions of the Western Civilizations textbook and of Candide (if in doubt check the ISBNs).
DVD copies of the movies are available in reserve in the Library’s Electronic Information Center. You can also
find them in public libraries, video stores, internet services such as Netflix or on YouTube.
Hist 1075 – R02
A
Spring 2011
dditional materials will be distributed in class or posted on the course website on Blackboard:
http://fordham.blackboard.com/ Make sure as soon as possible that you have proper access to Blackboard, we
will use it extensively throughout the semester.
Evaluation
Class Participation
Map, Book and Movie Quizzes
Writing Assignments
Paper 1: 15%; Paper 2: 15%; Paper 3: 25%.
25% of grade
20%
55%
P
articipation (25%): You must attend all sessions and arrive fully prepared to play an active role in this EP
Seminar. This involves asking questions, contributing to discussions, commenting on the ideas of others, and
helping explore the problems at hand. Students will also serve as group discussion leaders by making short oral
presentations and helping guide seminar sessions.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Absences are excused only for medical reason, with proper
documentation. As per university policy, three unexcused absences will result in failing the course. If you arrive late, you will be
counted one-half absence.
Q
uizzes (20%): A short map quiz (on January 31) will help you get familiar with the major countries, cities and
geographical features to which we will constantly refer. There will also be six very short quizzes on the books and
movies assigned. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on the day each work is discussed. There will be
no makeup quizzes. I will drop your lowest quiz grade.
W
riting Assignments (55%): In this EP Seminar, you will engage in two kinds of writing.
- Informal assignments and writing exercises (one-page responses to specific reading questions and
explanations of key passages in the reading) will be due at each of our discussion meetings. You will also
engage in short in-class writing assignments at the start of discussions.
- Two 5-page and one 7-page essays (due on February 14, March 24 and May 2). Before the first and second essays, you
will turn in a thesis statement. Before the second essay, you will also turn in an outline. I will provide feedback on these
assignments to assist you in writing each essay. Each paper will be graded and commented. You will then rewrite it based
on my comments and re-submit it (on February 28, April 17 and on the date of the final exam (May 16). Papers will be
graded on content (persuasiveness and coherence of interpretation) as well as on writing mechanics. Both the original
version and the rewrite of each paper will be graded, each paper’s grade will be the average grade of the two versions.
Each student will meet with me during office hours to review their progress in writing.
You are responsible for and expected to follow the Fordham College policy regarding matters of academic integrity. Submit an
MS Wo rd (no other software) file by email (no paper copies). Papers must include a wo rd cou nt. No e xt ensio ns will be
granted, other than for duly-reported medical emergencies. Late papers will be penalized by one-third of a letter grade per day.
Office hours
O
ffice hours are for you. Please stop by to discuss your ideas, questions, readings and assignments. Do come to
see me during office hours or email to make an appointment if you are encountering any difficulties or have any
questions concerning your performance in class.
Monday 1:30-2:20 pm and Thursday 12:45-1:30 pm, or by appointment ([email protected]). Dealy 625 (x3946)
Hist 1075 – R02
Spring 2011
Topics and Reading Assignments. Readings and viewings to be done befo re class.
Introduction
Th Jan. 20 Introductory session
Find a map of Europe and become familiar with its geography: current borders,
main cities, oceans, rivers, and mountains. Bring your map to class on January 24.
Life and Death in a Peasant Society
M Jan. 24
Lecture: The Facts of Life and Death
Th Jan. 27 Class discussion: Life and Death in a Rural World
Read: A Statistical View of European Rural Life, 1600-1800, on Blackboard (Bb)
Writing: Reading and using sources. Read: Rampolla, ch. 2 and 3a, pp. 6-23
M Jan. 31
Lecture: Early Modern Societies (1)
Writing: Thesis statement.
Read: Rampolla, ch. 4a-c, pp. 39-46
**** Map quiz on Monday January 31 ****
Th Feb. 3
Class discussion: Martin Guerre returns (movie and Bb documents)
Read: Martin Guerre documents (Bb). Watch movie: The Return of Martin Guerre
** Thesis statement for Paper 1 due on Thursday February 3 **
M Feb. 7
Lecture: Early Modern Societies (2)
Class discussion: Early Modern Societies
Read: Early Modern Societies documents (Bb)
Writing: Single-source analysis.
Read: Rampolla, ch. 3b-5, pp. 31-32
Th Feb. 10 Class discussion: Peasants, Women and the Law
Read: Davis, The Return of Martin Guerre (entire)
**** Martin Guerre quiz on Thursday February 10 ****
Court Culture and Politics
M Feb. 14 Lecture: Absolutism
Read Western Civilizations, ch. 15, pp. 393-414
*** Paper 1 (5 pages) due on Monday February 14 ***
Th Feb. 17 Class discussion: Versailles
Read: Staging Absolutism (Bb)
Visit Versailles website (King’s bedchamber, Hall of Mirrors, Trianon, chapel and gardens)
Tue Feb. 22 [Monday schedule] Lecture: Court, Politics and Diplomacy
Writing: Revising and editing
Read: Rampolla, ch. 4f-g, pp. 57-66
Th Feb. 24 Class discussion: Life and Politics at Court
Watch movie: Marie-Antoinette
**** Marie-Antoinette quiz on Thursday February 24 ****
Consumption in a Global World
M Feb. 28 Lecture: Silent Revolutions
Read Western Civilizations, ch. 15, pp. 414-427
****** Paper 1 Rewrite due on Monday February 28 *****
Th Mar. 3
Class discussion: Subsistence and Consumption
Read: European Material Life, 1600-1800 (Bb)
Writing: Outline and arguments
Read: Rampolla, ch. 5e and 4d, pp. 83-84, 45-49
M Mar. 7
Lecture: Consumer Revolution
** Thesis statement and outline for Paper 2 due on Monday March 7 **
Hist 1075 – R02
Spring 2011
Th Mar. 10 Lecture: Globalization
Read: Wills, 1688: A Global History, 1-92
Writing: Structure and organization Read: Rampolla, ch. 4e, pp. 49-57
*** Spring Break March 14-20 ***
M Mar. 21 Class discussion: 1688 in Japan, Russia, China and Europe
Read: Wills, 1688: A Global History, 93-218
Th Mar. 24 Class discussion: Europe in a Global World
Read: Wills, 1688: A Global History, 254-304
*** Paper 2 (5 pages) due on Thursday March 24 ***
Enlightenment
M Mar. 28 Lecture: The Enlightenment
Read: Western Civilizations, ch. 16, pp. 428-449
Read: Wills, 1688: A Global History, 219-253
**** 1688 quiz on Monday March 28 ****
Th Mar. 31 Class discussion: Candide and Voltaire’s Enlightenment
Read: Candide
M Apr. 4
Class discussion: Wit, Court and Enlightenment
Watch movie: Ridicule
**** Ridicule and Candide quiz on Monday April 4 ****
Writing: Quoting and documenting Read Rampolla, ch 7, pp. 94-132
Th Apr. 7
Class discussion: Women and Other Enlightenments
Read Western Civilizations, ch. 17, pp. 449-473
Read: Enlightenment texts (Bb)
***** Paper 2 Rewrite due on Thursday April 7 *****
Revolution
M Apr. 11 Lecture: Origins of the French Revolution
Read: Western Civilizations, ch. 18, pp. 478-483
Writing: Avoiding plagiarism
Read: Rampolla, ch. 6, pp. 86-93
Th Apr. 14 Class discussion: The Bastille and the People in Revolution
Read: A Day in the French Revolution: July 14, 1789 (Bb)
M Apr. 18 Lecture: 1789-1791
Read: Western Civilizations, ch. 18, pp. 483-491
*** Easter Recess April 21-25 ***
Th Apr. 28 Class discussion: The Fall of Louis XVI
Read: Tackett, When the King Took Flight
**** Tackett quiz on Thursday April 28 *****
M May 2
Lecture: The Terror
Class discussion: The Terror and How to End the Revolution?
Watch movie: Danton
*** Paper 3 (7 pages) due on Monday May 2 ***
Th May 5
Final class: Wrap up
***** Paper 3 Rewrite due on final exam date (May 16, 9:30 am) *****