Course Syllabus
Welcome to HIST 144: The World at War 1939-1945
Course Overview
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Delivery | Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com) |
| Dates | See the Calendar. |
| Instructor | See the Orientation module under the Modules tab. |
Description
This course offers a wide-ranging description and analysis of the Second World War, combining military history with political, social, and cultural approaches. One major goal is to describe how large-scale war serves as a revolutionary social and cultural force in its own right, massively accelerating social change. In the case of the second world war, the course will describe how the conflict did much to create what we think of as the modern world, not only in political terms (the roots of the cold war, the collapse of European imperialism) but also in radically changing attitudes towards such basic matters as gender relations and generational conflict. Also viral were the new scientific advances of the war years, in nuclear energy, radar, aviation, and perhaps most critical of all, the computer. Particularly important to the educational justification for the course is the stress on the construction of historical memory, a theme with implications far beyond the specific instance of World War II. The course will assess and challenge many of the myths surrounding the war, and to show how subsequent accounts of the conflict were shaped by political and cultural needs. For example, the course will stress the critical importance of the Eastern Front throughout the phenomenon understated in the West because of the patriotic Anglo-American emphasis on D-Day. It will also explore the "Resistance Myth", and suggest the moral compromises necessary to survive in occupied societies of Europe and Asia. Throughout, the course will stress the impacts of war on the home front and civilian society.
The course will be offered once every two years, with fifty seats on each occasion. Typically, students will be evaluated on essay exams, written book reviews, and research papers, and are expected to participate fully in class discussions of assigned readings. History 144 is an important complement to several existing courses within the History department, including
- HIST 120, Europe Since 1848;
- HIST 121, The History of the Holocaust;
- HIST 142, History of Communism;
- HIST 143, Fascism and Nazism; and
- HIST 160, American Naval History.
It also provides an excellent foundation for 400-level courses including
- HIST 420, Recent European History;
- HIST 447, Recent American History; and
- HIST 454, American Military.
History 144 satisfies general credit requirements for the history major or minor. Majors and non-majors would both be able to use the course to satisfy their general education humanities selection.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic mastery of the causes, events, and outcomes of WWII.
- Demonstrate a basic familiarity with the geography of the major theaters of the war.
- Critically read historical primary sources and compare and contrast them to secondary accounts of the war.
- Apply your knowledge of the history of WWII to present-day geopolitical questions.
- Formulate and express coherent written arguments in response to historical questions.
Organization
This course is made up of 15 lessons that cover World War II. In this course you will examine everything from the Road to the War to the Battle of Britain to V-E and V-J Day and everything in between. This will be an in depth look at all of the facets World War II from 1939-1945.
For a typical lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:
- Explore online course content.
- Read a few assigned readings.
- Participate in online discussions.
In addition, you will be required to complete two group debate discussions and three exam papers.
Online Learning and Attendance
This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.
Materials
Texts
The following texts are required:
- Michael J. Lyons, WWII: A Short History (Prentice Hall, 2009). ISBN: 9780205660568
- John W. Dower, War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War. ISBN 9780394500300
- Christopher R. Browning, Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland. ISBN 0060995068
Library Services
Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide (Links to an external site.) at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.
Grading
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.
Scale
| LETTER GRADE |
MINIMUM PERCENT |
|---|---|
| A | 93 |
| A- | 90 |
| B+ | 87 |
| B | 83 |
| B- | 80 |
| C+ | 77 |
| C | 70 |
| D | 60 |
| F | 0 |
Due Dates
All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide (Links to an external site.) at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2891.
As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g. hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.
All assignments must be completed on time!
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Notes
- To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.
Assignments
Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.
You can expect meaningful feedback on all written assignments within seven days of the deadline.
| ASSIGNMENT GROUP |
% |
|---|---|
| Map Quizzes (2) | 15 |
| Lesson Commentaries/Commentary Feedbacks (lowest 2 grades dropped from this category) |
20 |
| Group Discussions (2) | 25 |
| Exam Papers (3) | 40 |
| Total | 100 |
Map Quiz (15%)
Lesson 4 & 5 each have a map quiz over countries in Europe/North Africa and the Pacific respectively. You will be given 15 minutes to complete each map quiz. This means you need to know the answers without having to look them up since you only have 15 minutes to complete the quiz. You must achieve a 90% or higher on each quiz therefore you will have unlimited attempts. Although your attempts will be unlimited you still only have 15 minutes to complete each attempt.
Please note that the time limit for both quizzes began as soon as you enter the quiz area. It will continue to run until the time is up or you have clicked submit, whichever comes first. You cannot save the quiz, leave the quiz area and come back later to complete the assessment. Once you start the quiz the time will continue to run even if you are no longer in the quiz area. Remember, the quiz will be submitted when time is up or you click submit whichever comes first.
Lesson Commentary Discussion and Commentary Feedbacks (20% of grade)
This regular assignment will prompt you to write down your analysis of significant aspects of the lesson readings. It serves as replacement for in-class discussions in a regular on-campus class. You will post your assignment in the appropriate discussion forum, so that other course participants can review and comment on your ideas and thoughts. Your posts will be graded on an individual basis, but do not be afraid to make mistakes and to think freely when it comes to your contributions – errors will not be held against you. By the middle of each week, you will also submit a feedback commentary on two of the lesson commentaries submitted that week by another student in the course.
Lesson commentaries should be 300-400 words each. Commentary feedbacks should be 150-250 words each. Students that do not adhere to these guidelines will receive a significant markdown in their overall grades for these assignments.
Note: The lowest two commentary discussions and commentary feedback scores will be dropped.
Unless noted otherwise, Lesson Commentaries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the day noted on the course calendar. Unless noted otherwise, Lesson Commentary Feedback assignments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the day noted on the course calendar. Note: Lesson Commentary Feedback assignments (or replies to Lesson Commentaries) are generally due a few days after the initial post for the Lesson Commentary assignments.
For further information on the Lesson Commentary Postings and Commentary Feedbacks, see Guidelines for Lesson Commentaries in the Orientation Module.
Group Discussions (25% of grade)
Students will participate in two online group discussions. In preparation for this assignment, you will each be named to a special group/team. Over the course of the week-long discussion, each group/team will debate from two competing positions.
At the outset of the group discussion (starting Sunday), the instructor will select several members of each team to support the first position, and several members of each team to support the second position. You will be notified which side you are on at the beginning of the week.
The debate will go through two phases:
- Phase 1: The first phase goes from 6am Monday., to 11:59pm Thur. By 11:59pm Thur., each member of your team will have posted a statement of 300-350 words, making the case in support of his or her proposition.
- Phase 2: The second phase of the discussion will go from 11:59pm Thur., to 11:59pm Sun. During this period, each participant should post two further statements of 200-250 words, each responding to an argument made by a team member from the opposing side.
In formulating your postings, illustrate your points with examples from the assigned text for that week; and, where pertinent, from other assigned readings on the Revolutionary period.
You can find further information on each Group Discussion in the appropriate lesson.
Consult the Course Calendar and/or the Assignments Table at the bottom of the course syllabus for due dates.
Exam Papers (40% of grade)
There are three exam papers made up of two random questions pulled, three days in advance of the due date, from four review questions (800-1,000 words each).
Consult the Course Calendar and/or the Assignments Table at the bottom of the course syllabus for due dates.
A note on outside sources and academic dishonesty
Note that all assignments (lesson commentaries and commentary feedbacks, group discussion posts, and exam papers) must be entirely your original work, written in your own words. It is expected that you will discuss material from class readings for these assignments, and you may use quotations from those readings to support your arguments.
However, using published or online sources outside the class readings is not permitted. If internet sources appear in an assignment, your grade will automatically be lowered.
Using online or published sources without proper citation is plagiarism. Assignments that violate these guidelines will automatically be given a failing grade (0%) and may be submitted to the office of Academic Integrity for review and possible sanction.
If you have questions about these policies, please ask in advance of submitting assignments.
University Policies
Academic Integrity
Penn State defines academic integrity as “the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.” (Senate Policy 49-20 (Links to an external site.)). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without permission from the instructor or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students facing allegations of academic misconduct who drop the course will be returned and will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines until the allegations are dismissed and the drop is permitted. Students responsible for academic misconduct often receive academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for disciplinary sanctions assigned by the University's Office of Student Conduct (see Senate Policy G-9 (Links to an external site.)).
Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:
- Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
- All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
- All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
Disability Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus (Links to an external site.) at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website (Links to an external site.) at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation (Links to an external site.) described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online (Links to an external site.) at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website (Links to an external site.) at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page (Links to an external site.) at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
Nondiscrimination
Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website (Links to an external site.) at http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.
Reporting a Bias Incident
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage (Links to an external site.) at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.
TEACH Act
The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
University Emergency Procedure
In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.
In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website (Links to an external site.) at http://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website (Links to an external site.) at http://news.psu.edu.
To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website (Links to an external site.) at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.
Syllabus Subject to Change
The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|