History 131

Early Modern Europe

 

MWF, 11:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.                                                              Dr. Peter L. Larson

Samuel Mather Hall 202                                                 Office:               Seitz House, Room 11

Fall 2005                                                                       Office Phone:     x5322

                                                                                    Email:               larsonp@kenyon.edu

                                                                                    Office Hours:     TR 10-11:30 a.m., 1-2 p.m.

Webpage:                                                                                             & by appointment

http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/History/larson/welcome.htm

 

Course Description and Objectives

 

            This course will survey the history of early modern Europe, from 1500 to 1815.  Major themes of the course include the changing role and importance of religion, the development of the modern state, the emergence of colonial empires, and the revolutions and wars that broke and reforged Europe.  This was a time of significant change, a transition from the medieval to the modern, with major developments in religion, politics, philosophy, the arts, and many other areas.

 

            One major resource for this time period that is largely lacking for earlier European history is the personal account – the autobiography or diary – that allows us to see the history of the period directly through a person’s eyes, and permits access to their thoughts and feelings.  When placed side by side with traditional sources, such as letters, laws, and art, the result is a much fuller picture of European life in an era of change.

 

 

 

 

Required Texts

 

The following textbooks are required, and may be purchased from the Kenyon College Bookstore.

 

  • Donald Kagan, Steven Ozment, and Frank Turner, The Western Heritage, vol. B (referred to as ‘text’ in the schedule).
  • Benvenuto Cellini, Autobiography.
  • Olaudah Equiano, An Interesting Narrative…
  • Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography.
  • Glückel von Hameln Memoirs of Glückel.
  • Jakob Walter, Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier.

 

The following books are recommended, and may be purchased from the Kenyon College Bookstore.

 

  • Teresa of Avila, Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Confessions.

 

 

 

Course Assignments

 

  • Reaction Papers (3)                                           45%      (15% each)
  • Midterm Exam                                                   15%
  • Final Exam                                                        30%
  • Conduct in the Course                                        10%

Assignments and Grading

 

Conduct in the Course

 

            Class participation is worth 10% of your final grade.  History is learned best when you are an active participant; those who speak up in discussions, whether in small groups or in the whole class, generally do better on papers and exams as well.  I expect you to attend all classes, read the required readings, and participate actively in discussions, that is, to act professionally.  Readings will be discussed in class as appropriate, sometimes within lectures, sometimes on their own.  Most classes will be primarily lecture, however a few will be devoted more to discussion.  Feel free to ask questions during the lectures.

 

            Failure to attend or participate will affect your grade.  You are allowed to miss three lectures or one discussion; after that, you will lose 1 point off your participation grade per absence.  Only College-excused absences are acceptable after the third absence; if you miss a class due to illness, it will only be excused if your name is on the list released by the Health Center.  Excessive absence will result in expulsion from the class or the deduction of additional points from the final grade.

 

 

Reaction Papers

 

            You will write short essays on three of the seven books.  Each essay should be two to three pages in length, and will address a particular question.  These are due the same day that the book is to be discussed.  For the essays, TWO must be on required readings; the third paper may be on a required book, or on one of the suggested readings (which will not be discussed in class).  If you choose one of the suggested books (the autobiographies of St. Teresa of Avila or Jean-Jacques Rousseau), the paper is due on November 18th.  You may not use any other sources for these papers; the exercise is intended to develop your own critical skills.

 

 

Exams

 

            There will be an in-class midterm and a two-hour final exam.  Both exams will consist of a mixture of short IDs, multiple-choice questions, and essays.  There may be maps on the exam.

 

 

Grades

 

            So that there is no confusion about grades, here are the criteria that I use when assigning letter grades on assignments, and for your final grade.  Note that I am under no obligation to round up your grade.

 

                                    92.00 to 100      = A                   77.00 to 79.99 = C+

                                    90.00 to 92.00   = A-                  73.00 to 76.99 = C

                                    87.00 to 89.99   = B+                 70.00 to 72.99 = C-

                                    83.00 to 86.99   = B                   60.00 to 69.99 = D

                                    80.00 to 82.99   = B-                  59.99 and below = F

Other Course Policies

 

Office Hours

 

            You can always find me in my office during my stated office hours.  I frequently am in my office at other times; if the door is open, feel free to drop by at this time to discuss anything related to class, England, medieval history, or history in general.  If you cannot make the normal office hours, you can also set up an appointment.  The best way to get in touch with me, home or office, is by email, though it may take up to 2 days for me to get back to you.  If you call my office, leave a voicemail with your name and number and I will get back to you.  Please, do not call me at home.

 

 

Late Papers & Extensions

           

            There is no penalty if the paper is turned in by 1:00 p.m. the day of class as long as you attend that class!    Otherwise, it will be considered late.  If turned in within one full week, a late paper will be marked down one full letter grade.  After that, it will not be accepted.  Extensions on deadlines are at my discretion; you are far more likely to get an extension if you contact me before the paper is due.

 

 

A Note on Plagiarism

 

            Plagiarism is the presentation (conscious or unconscious) of someone else’s words or ideas as your own.  Plagiarism is not limited to published works; it includes other students’ papers and web sites.  You are certainly allowed to quote works by others (though use of such quotations should be minimal) when proper reference is given, but under no circumstances should you incorporate someone else’s work into your own.  If you refer to someone else’s idea, or paraphrase them, even if there is not a direct quote, you must cite where you found that information; unreferenced paraphrasing is plagiarism.

 

            Plagiarism is a serious offence.  If I detect plagiarism, the assignment will receive a 0 (the same as if you failed to turn in your work) and I shall refer the case to the Dean.  If you’re in doubt, cite!  More information on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism at Kenyon can be found at http://www.kenyon.edu/x11747.xml.

 

 

Disability Statement

 

            If you have specific physical, psychological, medical, or learning disabilities that require accommodation for you to carry out the assigned coursework, contact the Office of Disability Services (ext. 5145) and the Coordinator, Erin Salva (salvae@kenyon.edu), will review your concerns and help determine what accommodations are appropriate.  I am happy to provide whatever accommodation is necessary, but you must go through the Office.  Everything you tell them is confidential.

 

 

Schedule

 

I.  The Renaissance  (text:  316-351)

M  29 August                 Introduction; Europe & European Society in 1500

 

W 31 Aug.                     The Emergence of the State

 

F   2 September             Humanism & The Later Renaissance

 

M  5 Sept.                     Discussion Session: Benvenuto Cellini

                                                pp. 1-85, 169-230, 251-305, 391-402

 

 

II.  The Reformations (text: 352-378, 388-415)

W  7 Sept.                    The Protestant Reformation, Part I: Luther & Calvin

                                                Martin Luther, Letter to the Archbishop of Mainz

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/lutherltr-indulgences.html

 

F   9 Sept.                     The Protestant Reformation, Part II: The Radical and not-so-radical Reformers

                                                The Suppression of Glastonbury Abbey

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/h8-glastonbury.html

 

M  12 Sept.                   The Spanish Reformation and the Counter-Reformation

                                                Rules on Prohibited Books

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/trent-booksrules.html

                                                St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises (excerpts)

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/loyola-spirex.html

 

W  14 Sept.                   War & Religion

                                                The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1572stbarts.html

                                                The Destruction of Magdeburg

                                                            http://history.hanover.edu/texts/magde.htm

 

F  16 Sept.                    CLASS CANCELLED

 

 

III.  Life & Work  (text: 378-387, 406, 514-528, 544-546)

M  19 Sept.                   Demography, Kinship, and Work

                                                William Marshall, Draft of a Poor Law

                        http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/marshall.html

 

W  21 Sept.                   Discussion: Glückel Hameln’s Memoirs

 

F  23 Sept.                    Literature, Art, and Music

 

 

IV.  Absolutism & Constitutionalism

Part 1: The Forging of France (text: 416-418, 430-446, 486-488)

 

M  26 Sept.                   The Cardinalate

 

W  28 Sept.                   Louis XIV

                                                The Court of Louis XIV

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/17stsimon.html

 

 

 

Part 2: The Making of Britain (text: 417-430, 489-495)

 

F 30 Sept.                     The Stuarts & Civil War

                                                Oliver Cromwell, Letter after the Battle of Marston Moor

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1644cromwell-marston.html

                                                Commonwealth Instrument of Government (skim)

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1653intrumentgovt.html

                                                Statement of the Levellers

                        http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/levellers.html

 

M  3 October                 Revolution & Britain

                                                English Bill of Rights

                                                            http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1689billofrights.html

 

Part 3: The Eastward Shift of Power  (text: 490-510)

 

W  5 Oct.                      The Rise of Prussia

 

F  7 Oct.                       Russia & Austria

 

M  10 Oct.                     READING DAY – NO CLASS

 

W  12 Oct.                    Mid-term Examination

 

 

V.  Europe & The New World  (text:  422, 552-572, 582-585)

 

F  14 Oct.         The New World

 

M  17 Oct.         Africa & Asia

                                    St. Francis Xavier, Letter from Japan

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1552xavier4.html

                                    Hsu Kuang-chi, Memorial to Fra Matteo Ricci

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1617hsukuang.html

                                    Lady Mary Worley Montagu, Dining with the Sultana

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1718montague-sultana.html

                                    Richard Eden, Decades of the New World

                        http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/eden.html

 

W  19 Oct.        Globalism: Colonies & Trading Posts

 

F  21 Oct.         “No Peace Beyond the Line”: Pirates and Corsairs

 

M  24 Oct.         Slaves & Sugar

 

W  26 Oct.        Discussion: Equiano, Interesting Narrative…

 

F  28 Oct.         Race & Racism

 

 

VI. Transformations of the 18th Century  (text: 480-486, 526-547, 572-579)

 

M  31 Oct.         Core & Periphery

 

W  2 November  War & Peace

 

F  4 Nov.           Agricultural & Industrial Revolution

 

 

M  7 Nov.          Colonial Wars & Colonial Revolutions

 

W  9 Nov.          Discussion: Benjamin Franklin

 

VII.  The Enlightenment  (text: 470-478, 588-620)

F  11 Nov.         Central Issues

 

M  14 Nov.         Science & Reason

                                    Michel de Montaigne, On Cannibals

                        http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/montaigne.html

                                    Isaac Newton, Optics

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/newton-optics.html

                                    The Origin of the Royal Society

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1662royalsociety.html

 

W  16 Nov.        The Individual and the State

                                    Hobbes, Leviathan

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/hobbes-lev13.html

 

F  18 Nov.         Intellectuals and Artistes

Reaction paper on St. Teresa of Avila or Jean-Jacques Rousseau due

 

M  21 Nov. to F 25 Nov.              THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS

 

M  28 Nov.         The Witch Hunts

VIII.  Revolution and Empire (text: 624-702)

W  30 Nov.        Origins of the French Revolution

                                    Social Conditions in 17th c. France

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/17france-soc.html

 

F  2 December   French Revolution Idealism & Terror

                                    Declaration of the Rights of Man

                                                http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/rightsof.htm

                                    La Marseillaise

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/marseill.html

                                    Declaration of the Rights of Women

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1791degouge1.html

                                    Robespierre, On the Principles of Political Morality

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1794robespierre.html

 

M  5 Dec.          Napoleon Ascendant

                                    The Imperial Catechism

                                                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1806catechism-napoleon.html

 

W  7 Dec.         Russia and Waterloo

 

F  9 Dec.           Discussion: Jakob Walter

 

M  12 Dec.        Aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars

 

F  16 Dec.         FINAL EXAM, 6:30 p.m.