Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
This class examines the Third Reich in the context of late nineteenth and early twentieth century
Europe with two broad questions. Why did the Nazi Party gain power in Germany in the 1930s?
Why did Nazi Germany pursue policies of war and genocide? The course will not offer
definitive answers to those questions, but will encourage students to recognize differing
historical viewpoints and decide for themselves. Throughout the course we will also consider a
third question designed to allow students to reflect on the contemporary relevance of fascism:
why are we fascinated by the Third Reich?
These objectives will be met by reading primary sources, class discussion, and written
assignments described below. Generally speaking the course requirements and assignments are
designed to allow students to act like historians by considering the evidence and the arguments
made by others before constructing their own interpretation.
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Course Requirements
Your grade for this class will be determined by your performance on the following assignments.
All grades are based on a standard ten-point scale: A 94-100, A- 90-93, B+ 87-89, B 84-86, etc.
Class Participation (15%) The success of this course depends on your participation. Therefore
I have made class participation part of your grade. This is not “extra credit:” your final grade
will be lowered if your participation is not satisfactory. To participate effectively you need to do
the readings, bring them with you to class, and be prepared to discuss them with you fellow
classmates.
Document Collection: European Racism (20%) is a short (2-3 page) essay you will write based
on a selection of primary sources you chose. I will make a variety of sources available on D2L,
but you are also free to find your own documents related to European racism before c. 1870. The
document collection is due in class February 11.
Film Analysis (20%) is another short paper based on one of the films we will view in class:
Pandora’s Box on February 27 or Triumph of the Will on March 4. Your paper will analyze the
film you choose in terms of themes we have been discussing in class using other sources. The
paper is due March 15.
Term Paper: Interpreting Nazi Plans (30%) is a longer paper (7-10 pages) that requires you to
combine primary source evidence with historical interpretations to make an argument about the
war plans and preparations of the Nazi leaders. You will be required to stake out a position
relative to the theses of Milward, Overy, Taylor, and Dawidowicz. The paper is due April 26.
Contemporary Reflection (15%) asks you to find one contemporary (within the last 15 years)
reference to the Third Reich and explain its relationship to the actual history of the Third Reich.
You can use magazine or newspaper articles or references in popular entertainment. Your goal is
to explain how the reference interprets the Third Reich and whether you find that interpretation
historically valid. Your paper should include a copy of the reference if it’s printed or a
description of it if it’s not. Your reflection should be 2-3 pages. The paper is due May 15.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is an integral part of historical research, and I will be strictly enforcing ESU’s
policies on academic misconduct (pp. 48-49 of the Student Handbook). Plagiarism – the use of
someone else’s words or ideas without proper citation – will be referred to the Office of Student
Conduct and punished by failure for the assignment or the course. Your papers should use
footnotes to cite sources. If you have questions about academic honesty or proper citations,
please see me.
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Miscellaneous Policies
Late Papers
I do not accept late papers under ordinary circumstances. If there is a legitimate reason why you
must turn a paper in late, please see me. If possible, see me before the assignment is due.
Incompletes
Under exceptional circumstances, such as extended illness, I will issue a grade of incomplete for
the course. Please contact me if you feel you may need an incomplete.
Classroom Environment
While in class, demonstrate respect for your fellow students. Avoid disrupting class by arriving
late or leaving early, but if you must do either do it quietly. Turn off or silence cell phones. You
may bring laptop computers to take notes, but remember that what’s on your screen will distract
the students around you, so avoid web-browsing and solitaire. If you are too tired to make it
through class without falling asleep, it is better for everyone if you stay away. If you are
disruptive or obviously oblivious to what is happening around you, you will not get credit for
attendance.
Special Needs
If you require any special accommodation, the University has resources available. See me or
contact Disability Services at x3954.
My office hours, listed at the top of the syllabus, are drop-in times. No appointment is
necessary. If those times aren’t convenient, send me an email or talk to me after class and we’ll
work out another time to meet. You can also email me with questions, although it’s often easier
if we can meet face to face.
Required Texts
There are two required books for this class, which I have ordered at the University Store. All
other readings are available on the course D2L page.
Primo Levi, The Drowned and the Saved (New York: Vintage, 1989) ISBN 978-0679721864
Robert Moeller, The Nazi State and German Society: A Brief History with Documents (Boston:
Bedford St. Martin’s, 2010) ISBN 978-0312454685
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Class Schedule
6 Feb: Imperialism
Joseph Chamberlain, Preference, The True Imperial Policy, 1905
Jules Ferry, On French Colonial Expansion, 1884
Wilhelm II, A Place in the Sun, 1901
15 March (Friday)
Film Analysis Papers Due
26 April (Friday)
Term Paper Due
8 May: Remembering
Levi, 11-35, 70-87, 175-197
15 May (Wednesday)
Contemporary Reflection Due