World War II Class Syllabus
History 341
Fall 2005 in PJ223
MWF 11:15-12:10
Dr. Steven Schoenherr
Home Page: http://home.sandiego.edu/~ses/
Office: PJ266 x4042
Map to History offices
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, MW 12-1
E-mail to: ses@sandiego.edu
Course Description:
The purpose of this seminar is to examine and understand U.S. history during the era of World War II. The central focus will be the American role in this world conflict, although as much consideration as possible will be given to the international context. The methodology that will guide this inquiry will be a traditional historical one rather than literary, quantitative, philosophical or antiquarian. Each class period will study a particular chronological unit using lectures, discussions, audiovisual media, assigned and voluntary readings. An important objective of the course will be to encourage students to query and criticize rather than simply memorize the material presented in class. We shall ask about this war what John Masefield did about an earlier war, "The Sinister Spirit sneered, 'It had to be' But still the Spirit of Pity whispered, 'Why?' "
Required Books:
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Foreign Policy, by Robert Dallek, Days of Sadness, Years of Triumph, by Geoffrey Perrett, The Second World War, by John Keegan, are available in paperback editions in the USD Bookstore.
Grade:
The three components of the course grade are the following: final essay examination on class lectures, discussions and media (30%); quizzes each week on reading assignments and writing or computer assignments (30%); research project (40%). If the project is completed as a paper, it must include a three-page summary/outline with sources and thesis/questions due by e-mail before class begins on Oct. 17; and a final 2500-word narrative with critical interpretation, typed or computer-printed on white paper, spell-checked & page-numbered, with numbered footnotes or endnotes plus an alphabetical bibliography page of books and articles used for the project, including at least two monographs (book-length publications by a scholar on a single subject with notes and documentation), one historical journal article, and one Internet address, due before class on Dec. 12. In addition to the hard copy paper, an electronic version of the paper must be e-mailed or handed in on a hybrid CD-ROM disc by Dec. 12. If the project is published on the Internet as a web page, a 200-word e-mail progress report with active web page address is due before class begins on Oct. 17; and the complete project due before class on Dec. 12. The student is responsible for following the guidelines for web pages. The web page project must include an alphabetical bibliography page of books and articles used for the project, with at least two monographs (book-length publications by a scholar on a single subject with notes and documentation), one historical journal article, and one Internet address. In addition to the web page, an electronic version of the project must be e-mailed or handed in on a hybrid CD-ROM disc by Dec. 13.
Extra Credit:
The final grade is based on a 12-point GPA scale and may be raised by as much as 1.5 GPA (1/2 grade, e.g., from B to A-) with the completion of one or two or three extra book or film reports of 900 words each, or a web page project, approved in advance and submitted by e-mail before Dec. 9. Each report must include citations of sources used to write the report. See the following guides to help write reports:
Attendance:
All students are required to attend class. Any absence must be excused by e-mail prior to the missed class. There will be a grade deduction of .5 GPA for each unexcused absence including tardiness and leaving the classroom before the end of the scheduled period. No makeup quizzes or exams are permitted for unexcused absences.
Computer:
This class does not require that you own a computer. However, you are required to have access to the Internet, using your student computer account (free with ID in Serra 205) or using a commercial account, and must be able to send and receive e-mail. Every e-mail message must be text-onlyand it must include "HIST341" in the Subject Header. The body of the message must include your full name at the start or end of the body of the message. Do not send attachments; include the entire text of your message or report or quiz answer in the body of the e-mail message. All students must be able to access the class page athttp://history.sandiego.edu/gen/classes/ww2/341.html
Schedule: see http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/classes/ww2/341schedule.html