University of Botswana History Department

HIS 211 Index Page

The Rise of Europe to World Dominance

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Current information: see this page for current reading recommendations etc.

Lecturer: Dr B. S. Bennett, email bennett@mopipi... [Click here for full email address]

Course outline: HIS 211 course outline 2011-12 sem. 1 (This contains essentially the same information as is given below.)

There is some HIS 211 material on WebCT (student login required).

First semester, 2011-12.

HIS 211: The rise of Europe to world dominance

Lecturer: Dr B. S. Bennett, email bennett@mopipi... [Click here for full email address]

Timetable for this semester:

HIS 211    MWF 1600 252-LT8

The course will cover, on a broad scale, the rise of Europe to its position of world dominance at the end of the 19th century. Firstly it will look in outline at the origins, development and nature of the distinctive societies which arose in Europe from the Middle Ages onward. Then, a set of selected major subjects will be studied in more detail; for the latter independent reading in the Library will be required.

Textbook: W. Simpson Europe 1783-1914 is the currently recommended book. However previous textbooks, notably Roberts History of the World, would also be useful.

Assessment:

CA (40%) and exam (60%). CA will include regular exercises; students should therefore attend all classes. Also note that for all assignments etc. you should ensure that you get the exact wording, requirements, etc. as announced in class. If you are absent when an assignment is given, do not rely on other students, but see the lecturer to get the details.

Books on Reserve under HIS 211:

Click here for the OPAC
Click here to see the up-to-date HIS211 reserve list on OPAC
(note that the OPAC may not recognize "HIS211" and "HIS 211" (i.e. written with or without a space after HIS) as the same, so if you get the message "No records found" try the other form)

Course outline:

The course will be divided into two main parts:

Part 1. Outline of the history of Europe in the world, to 1900
Outline history. Students will be required to familiarize themselves with the information in this section as it forms the background to the rest of the course.

Part 2. Selected major themes in European history 18th & 19th centuries

The Enlightenment: in what ways were traditional European ideas challenged?
The French Revolution and Napoleon: how and why did a major challenge to Europe's traditional institutions arise in France, and how did this affect the rest of Europe?
Nationalism in the 19th Century: the new Italy and Germany: how and why were these new states created, and what was their nature?
Russia: reform, reaction: what was the nature of this empire, and how did it change?
19th Century France: how did it seek political stability, and with what success?
Conclusion: Europe and the world at the end of the century, including imperialism

Material online

See the current information page for information on current reading recommendations etc.

See the H202 Index Page which links to various useful pages. (The semester courses HIS211 and HIS212 replace the old year-long course H202.) In particular, see a table of The main phases of the French Revolution, an introduction to 19th century French politics, and a table of estimated world population 1800 - 1950. See also How to take notes in lectures and the Guide to essay-writing. The latter includes detailed notes on how to write footnotes. See also the Quick-reference guide to writing footnotes for a short summary.

Academic honesty:

1. Essays and other assessed work must be entirely your own work, unless collaboration is authorized.
2. If the words of a book or internet source are copied without acknowledgment (i.e. without indicating they are copied) this is plagiarism, which is a form of cheating.
3. The nature of plagiarism will be discussed in class. If you are not clear on the issue please see the lecturer for help.
4. Please refer to the University Policy on Academic Honesty for more information.