COR 302

 

Historical Perspectives on

the Social Order, II

 

Spring 2009

Oglethorpe University

 

Ronald P. Bobroff	Classroom: Hearst 209
Office: Lupton 315	Times:  302-205: TTh   9.30-10.45 302-210: TTh 11.00-12.15
Office phone: 364-8530	e-mail: rbobroff@oglethorpe.edu
Office Hrs: TTh 4.30-6, W3-5, Fri 10-12 & by appt.	Class webpage: TBA

I. Course Description:

The junior year sequence constitutes an historical examination of human experience in response to some of the themes and issues raised in the first two years of the core. Drawing on a variety of perspectives from both the humanities and the social sciences, the course strives to reconstruct the histories of significant periods in human history. The second semester concentrates on the problems of modernity, such as the rise of the modern state, nationalism, revolution, and globalization. Both courses examine the ways in which significant moments have become essential parts of our historical consciousness, enshrined in myth, and religion, tradition, culture, and institutions. Through careful analysis of current scholarship and original sources, students are invited to consider the complex relationship between history, cultural traditions, and the social and political institutions derived from them.

 

II. Course Objectives:

            This course should give the students a better understanding of how modern Western civilization is different from pre-modern and how complex the term "modern" really is.  Through the readings, seminar discussions, and paper assignments, students should become more familiar with the means of historical inquiry and sharpen their critical, written and verbal skills.

 

III. Course Prerequisites:

            This course assumes completion of the first two years of the Core program and the fall of the third year.  It also requires a willingness to read, think about and discuss the material on this syllabus and to complete the assignments given.

            If you have a disability or need accommodations, please see me to make an appointment during office hours.

 

IV. Course Format:

            This class will meet twice a week, for 75 minutes per session. The sessions themselves will be primarily seminar-style discussions. 

 

 

 

V. Course Evaluation

            The final grade in this course is made up of a midterm exam (22%), attendance and participation (15%), discussion leading (5%) Paper #1 (18%), Paper #2 (18%), and a final exam (22%).  These percentages are subject to change if additional quizzes are given (~4% per quiz)

            Grades of I (Incomplete) will only be given in the most unusual circumstances. See the University Bulletin for details.

 

VI. Classroom Rules

            Aside from the rules given in the Bulletin of Oglethorpe University, there are a few other items that students must keep in mind.  Refusal to respect these rules will result in a lower grade.

• Students are expected to come to class on time and remain there until the professor has indicated that the session is over.  Students who must come to class late or leave class early on a regular basis should make the professor aware of the reason ahead of time. Four tardies will equal an absence.
• Cell-phone noise or use will also not be tolerated.  Students carrying them should make sure that they are turned off or made silent (not set on vibrate) before class begins. After an initial warning for the first infraction, five points will be deducted from the final grade for the second, ten for the third, and the Dean of Students and Provost will be notified for any subsequent trouble.
• Students who use their computers to take notes during class time should not surf the web or engage in e-mail while in class. Students found to be violating this policy will not be allowed to use their computers in class.

 

VII. Course Readings

            The readings for this course listed below are available at the University Bookstore.

 

Arendt, Hannah. Totalitarianism. Part Three of The Origins of Totalitarianism. Harvest, 1968.

Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Norton, 2005.

Davis, Natalie Zemon. Return of Martin Guerre. Harvard, 1983.

Eksteins, Modris. Rites of Spring. Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

Fanon, Frantz. Wretched of the Earth. Grove, 1986.

Kovály, Heda Margolius. Under a Cruel Star. Holmes & Meier, 1986.

Uglow, Jenny. The Lunar Men. Farrar, Strauss, 2003.

Wood, Gordon S. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage, 1991.

 

VIII. Attendance and Participation

            Students are encouraged to attend every class session, and the roll will be taken.

            It should be noted that participation does not mean just showing up for class.  I expect that you will have read the assigned material and will actively engage in our discussions. The success of the seminar depends on everyone's work. Furthermore, each student will lead a class discussion at least once per semester, depending on final enrollment.

            Absences will only be excused for attendance at required University functions or sanctioned off-campus competitions or meetings. A coach or advisor should provide documentation ahead of time attesting to your absence(s). Also excused are medical emergencies with appropriate official documentation or family emergencies with confirmation from the Provost's Office. No other mishaps or developments are excused, be that oversleeping; late- running other classes; late registration or late return to school; encounters with traffic, traffic cops, traffic court; scheduled family events or vacations.

            More than two unexcused absences will reduce the attendance/participation part of the final grade. Six or more absences will result in an FA.

 

IX. Assignments

Discussion Leading

            At least once per semester each student will lead discussion of one day's reading. Once enrollment has stabilized a sign-up sheet will be made available. Students will be expected to send their classmates questions for discussion by 8pm the night before class to allow everyone time to prepare responses. A rubric will be made available later in the semester that will indicate the weighting of my expectations. Missing class the day you are scheduled to present or not notifying the professor of an absence by 8pm the night before will result in a 0/F for this part of the grade.

Examinations

            The midterm exam is scheduled for March 3. The final exam period for the 9.30am class is Thursday, 4/30, 8am-11am. The final exam period for the 11am class is Tuesday, May 5, 11.15-2.15.

Papers

            Two papers of approximately 5-6 pages in length will be due on February 10 and April 21. Topics will be distributed later in the term.

Outside research will not be expected, and internet sources should never be used without my written/e-mailed permission (and such permission will be very rarely given. Don't even ask about Wikipedia.)

            Late papers will be assessed a penalty of one letter grade per 24 hours after the time at which it was due (i.e., from A- to B- if up to 24 hours late). The page count does not include the bibliography or title page, if included.

Films

            A few films will be shown this semester that speak to some of the issues that we'll deal with in this course. You are expected to attend the screenings of at least two of the three. If you cannot, then you can make up for this by seeing one (if you attend only one screening) or two (if you attend none) on your own time and writing a two-page essay on each linking the film to the themes we have been discussing. Otherwise, the attendance/participation grade will be reduced.

Reminders

            Be sure to pledge your papers, quizzes, and exams.

See the attached Paper Guidelines for more information on the expectations for papers and exams in this class. Be aware of the university definitions of cheating and plagiarism:

                 Cheating:

                 a.      The unauthorized possession or use of notes, texts, or other such materials during an examination.

                 b.      Copying another person's work or participation in such an effort.

                 c.      An attempt or participation in an attempt to fulfill the requirements of a course with work other than one's original work for that course.

 

                 Plagiarism:

                       Plagiarism includes representing someone else's words, ideas, data, or original research as one's own, and in general failing to footnote or otherwise acknowledge the source of such work.  One has the responsibility of avoiding plagiarism by taking adequate notes on reference materials, including material taken off the internet or other electronic sources, used in the preparation of reports, papers, and other coursework.

 

X. Class Schedule [tentative]

 

1.      January 13, Tuesday - Introductions

 

2.      January 15, Thursday

·         Return of Martin Guerre, 1-41

 

3.      January 20, Tuesday

·         Return, 42-125

 

4.      January 22, Thursday

·         Web: NZ Davis, "On the Lame"

·         Web: Robert Finlay, "The Refashioning of Martin Guerre" (read this one first)

5.      January 27, Tuesday

·         Radicalism of the American Revolution, 3-92

·         Web: B. Anderson, "Introduction", "Cultural Roots" from Imagined Communities, 1-36

                                                     

6.      January 29, Thursday

·         Radicalism, 95-169

 

7.      February 3, Tuesday

·         Radicalism, 229-305

 

8.      February 5, Thursday

·         Radicalism, 305-69

 

9.      February 10, Tuesday

·         First paper due

·         Lunar Men, 26-34, 107-65

 

10.  February 12, Thursday

·         Lunar Men, 166-226

 

11.  February 17, Tuesday

·         Heart of Darkness, 3-77

·         E. Britannica, "Congo Free State" in Heart of Darkness, in Heart of Darkness, 99-113

 

12.  February 19, Thursday

·         GW Williams, "Open Letter to His Serene Majesty Leopold II" in Heart of Darkness, 120-31

·         J. Conrad, "The Congo Diary," in Heart of Darkness, 253-60

·         A. Guerard, "The Journey Within," in Heart of Darkness, 326-35

·         C. Achebe, "An Image of Africa," in Heart of Darkness, 336-49

·         E. Said, "Two Visions," in Heart of Darkness, 422-29

 

13.  February 24, Tuesday

·         Rites of Spring, 1-94

                                                        

14.  February 26, Thursday

·         Rites of Spring, 95-135

 

15.  March 3, Tuesday

·         Midterm Examination

 

16.  March 5, Thursday

·         Rites of Spring, 139-91

 

17.  March 10, Tuesday

·         Rites of Spring, 192-299

 

18.  March 12, Thursday

·         Rites of Spring, 300-31

·         Web: ML Roberts, "This Civilization No Longer Has Sexes" and "This Being without Breasts, without Hips," 1-16, 19-45

 

March 17-19 - No class: Spring Break

 

 

19.  March 24, Tuesday

·         Totalitarianism, 3-86

 

March 26, Thursday - No class

 

20.  March 31, Tuesday

·         Totalitarianism, 158-77

·         Under a Cruel Star, 5-38

 

21.  April 2, Thursday

·         Web: Harold Marcuse, "Legacies of Dachau."

 

22.  April 7, Tuesday

·         Under a Cruel Star, 39-137

 

23.  April 9, Thursday

·         Under a Cruel Star, 138-92

 

April 14, Tuesday - No class: Symposium in the Liberal Arts

 

24.  April 16, Thursday

·         Wretched of the Earth, 1-96

 

25.  April 21, Tuesday

·         Second paper due

·         Wretched of the Earth, 97-180

 

26.  April 23, Thursday

·         Wretched of the Earth, 181-240

 

27.  April 28, Tuesday

·         Web: S. Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations"

·         Web: E. Said, "The Clash of Ignorance"

COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order, II

Oglethorpe University

Prof. Bobroff

Paper Guidelines

Presentation

            Unless otherwise indicated, the papers must be double-spaced with standard margins (1"-1¼") and standard font (size 12, Times New Roman).

Expectations

            Try to think ahead about how you will structure your essay to be the most persuasive.  I encourage you to create outlines of some sort to help you think your ideas through before you begin to write.

            Whether or not you outline (or use some other sort of preparatory organization), do leave yourself sufficient time to proofread your papers.  You should watch for several things (not an exclusive list):

• basic grammar and spelling: Standard American English is expected.  If you are from an English-speaking country that has different standards, please let me know.  Do not forget to use the spell-checker in your word processor, but look it over yourself as the computer cannot distinguish between "from" and "form", "its" and "it's", for example.
• clear thesis: Does your paper support your ideas throughout?  Read over your introduction and conclusion - do they match or has your argument shifted during writing?  The thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction.
• logical organization: The order in which you present your ideas is important.  How can you present your material for the greatest clarity and persuasion?  Each paragraph should focus on one topic. 
• proper citation: see the section on plagiarism below

If you have questions about any of the above, please come talk with me.  I have taught writing in the past and am glad to help.

 

Submission of papers

Papers are due by the start of class on the dates indicated on the syllabus.

            Late papers will be penalized one full grade (ie, A- to B-) for every 24 hours after the due date and time that it is handed in.  Late papers include both those you finish after the deadline and those that you think you sent but that I don't receive and you have to send again after the deadline.  If you forget to e-mail the paper to me and instead bring a paper copy, you still have to e-mail the paper to me and a one grade step penalty (ie, A- to B+) will be assessed.

            The only reasons for a late paper not to be penalized would be legitimate absences approved by a coach, advisor or dean ahead of time or a crisis officially confirmed.  In case of sudden emergencies, you must get in touch with a dean as soon as possible and have her or him notify me.

 

Notes and Plagiarism

            Regretfully, plagiarism in humanities and social science classes has proliferated in recent years, especially with the advent of the internet. Keep the following in mind. 

If you quote a source or use someone else's ideas or research, you must provide a citation. Even if you are not quoting a source verbatim, if you learn something from a source that you put into your paper, it must be cited, too. Paraphrases must be cited. It is not important to me which system of citation you use as long as you are consistent in its use. In History, we prefer footnotes.

Either long, initial footnotes or a works cited page must be included so that I know which books and which editions you are using. If you do not know how to format footnotes or works-cited pages properly, check with an MLA Guide or Chicago Manual of Style

            If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please do not hesitate to talk with me or the Oglethorpe Writing Center in Weltner Library.  Ignorance of these expectations will not be an excuse if plagiarism is present in a paper.

A paper found to include plagiarism, even a few sentences, will result in an F for the class grade and referral to the university authorities for possible suspension or expulsion from the university. 

 

Formatting and composition expectations

• On pg. 1, include your name, class info (COR 302, section), date and assignment.  After page 1, place your name and page number in the header at the top right-hand corner of every page. Place the page # and name in the header, not in the text itself.
• Be sure to pledge your papers and exams.
• Do not use contractions in formal papers
• Spell out all numbers under 101, as well as even units like a thousand, million etc.
• 1990s, 2000s, 1910s, not 1990's or 2000's
• Do not use WW1, WW2 - spell them out
• Do not justify the text along the right-hand margin - leave that space for comments.
• It is becoming more standard to refer to countries in the neuter, rather than feminine gender. In American English, countries are singular as are governments and should be treated as such in your papers (unless you are British).

 

My editing abbreviations

• ¶ - paragraph
• l.c. - [should be] lower case
• u. c. - [should be] upper case
• sp. - spelling error
•    - remove something incorrect
•    - remove extra space

 

Example:  Be careful, to avoid any Errors when com posing your pappers.

 

 

Return to COR 302 homepage

Return to Bobroff's Homepage