HIST 425 B Nazi Germany Syllabus

Prof. Pavlac

Research Paper | Class Schedule

I. Description

This course examines the development of Nazi ideology and politics in Germany and Austria. It began with the origins of nationalist and racist ideas in the 19th century as Second German Empire was formed and the Austro-Hungarian Empire held on. Then the devastation of World War I and the collapse of the imperial monarchies allowed the development of fascism and national socialism.  The turmoil of the twenties and thirties enabled Adolf Hitler to seize power and transform Central Europe. Hitler's attempt to conquer all of Europe, while eliminating Bolshevism and the Jews, led to the Allied victory of World War II.  We will end with a glance at the lingering affects of Nazism on Germany, Austria and the world today.

II. Purpose

This is a History Major, European Sequence course.

Objectives for the student:

1. To identify the major events, persons and ideas of the history of early 20th-century fascism, Germany, Europe and the West.
2. To read primary and secondary sources and explain their significance to relevant historical problems.
3. To practice critical and analytical skills on historical controversies.
4. To identify and analyze significant problems and situations as they relate to the current issues and the investigation of history.

Goals for the student:

1. To develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural interdependence of differing societies and people, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.
2. To heighten awareness of the specific contributions and perspectives of diverse members of society.
3. To appreciate the social, economic, cultural and political developments of German Europe to our present culture and World History.
4. To understand the influence of the past on contemporary events and problems, or, in other words, to develop "Historical Mindedness."

General Learning Outcomes for the student:

In addition to the more content related objectives described above, this course has some general liberal learning goals. Successful completion of this course is expected to help improve your ability

1. To manage information, which involves sorting data, ranking data for significance, synthesizing facts, concepts and principles.
2. To understand and use organizing principles or key concepts against which miscellaneous data can be evaluated.
3. To differentiate between facts, opinions and inferences.
4. To frame questions in order to more clearly clarify a problem, topic or issue.
5. To compare and contrast the relative merits of opposing arguments and interpretations, moving between the main points of each position.
6. To organize your thoughts and communicate them clearly and concisely in a written form and oral presentations.
7. To obtain practice in selecting and presenting information and arguments within a restricted environment, especially the limitations of time in exams.

III. General Requirements

1. Readings:

• Spielvogel, Jackson J. Hitler and Nazi Germany: a History. 4th Ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2001.
• Mitchell, Allan, ed. The Nazi Revolution. Problems in European Civilization 4th Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997.
• Niewyk, Donald L. ed., The Holocaust. Problems in European Civilization. 2nd Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997.
• various handouts

The required readings are intended both to provide you with important factual and background information before class and to be used as review and reference works afterwards. Before class, you will read the chapters or pages assigned according to the class schedule, section VIII. Not all topics in the books will be covered in class, but you are responsible for them on the exam and in class discussion.  Handouts are to be read and used as instructed.

The instructor may give quizzes to test your reading and comprehension.

2. Class Participation & Attendance:

Participation and attendance are necessary because lecture and discussion provide the essentials for achieving class goals and objectives. Thus a portion of your grade (about 20%) will depend on your in-class performance. You are required to attend each class, arrive on time, remain attentive, respond to questions, ask questions and participate in any in-class projects.

Lectures may be recorded with the instructor's permission, although the tapes must be erased after the exams.

The instructor will regularly take attendance. Absences due to college activities, emergency or extended illness may be excused by the appropriate director or dean. Other absences are unexcused and will lower the class participation portion of your grade. After any absence, you are responsible for making up missed work, requesting hand-outs and already returned assignments, or borrowing notes from other students. Whether absences are excused or not, you cannot get a higher grade than the percentage of classes attended.

All students who have a learning disability, physical handicap and/or any other possible impediment to class participation and requirements should schedule an appointment with the instructor during the first week of class to discuss available accommodations.

If you miss an exam, contact the instructor as soon as possible. You may take a missed exam only at the discretion of the instructor. The makeup exam may be in the form of an oral exam.

If at some point during the semester you must discontinue the course, due to poor performance, illness or some other cause, be sure to follow proper procedures for withdrawal.

C. Other Requirements:

You will take one mid-term exam on the assigned date in the class schedule, section VIII, and a final exam as assigned during finals week. Exams are described in more detail below, section V.

You will have several in-class discussion/projects.  Short quizzes or written reports wil also be required to evaluate the comprehension of video presentations.  You will also have two three readings reports.  

VI. Written Assignments:

You will have one research paper of twelve to fifteen pages. You will also evaluate the research papers of two other students.

IV. Grades:

You earn your grade through work done for this course.

For your protection, in case of errors in recording, you should keep copies of all exams and assignments until you have received notice of your grade.

Your final grade will be based on a percentage (above 91%=A, 89%=B+, 81%=B, etc.) of the sum of the following points: 10-20 for each quiz or in-class discussion/project and paper evaluation; 200 for the research paper; 100 for the midterm exam, 130 for the final exam; and 200 for your class performance and attendance.

3. Exams:

A. General Description:

You will take one mid-term exam on the assigned date in the class schedule, section VIII, and a final exam, which is comprehensive, as assigned during finals week.

Both exams will consist of short identifications quizzing knowledge of detail and significance, and essays testing your understanding of the course material through logical presentation of facts and explanation of historical trends. 

To study for the exams you should regularly, at least once a week, review your class notes, especially for identifications drawn from the overhead outline. You should also compare and contrast these notes with your textbook and other readings. 

Only paper from the instructor is to be used. Please write legibly, in ink.

VI. In-class Projects:

Regularly through the semester we will have in-class discussions and projects. You are required to have read before class the appropriate material (as listed on the class schedule, section VIII, or otherwise assigned by the instructor) and be prepared to discuss and write about it with the instructor or in small groups.

You will be evaluated by short quizzes or written reports done in-class or after class, worth between 10 and 20 points each.

Students with unexcused absences will receive no credit for the project/discussion. Students with excused absences may prepare a short report, after consultation with the instructor.

All topics and assignments on the schedule are tentative; the instructor may change them at his discretion. date topic pages to be read before class.  See the printed version.  

Research Paper | Class Schedule