Scope

Our content objectives can be summarized and generalized as:

1. to gain a basic familiarity with the major events and people that have shaped modern Eastern Europe
2. to understand what life was like for the average European in this period
3. to understand how various themes changed over time
4. to understand the complex nationality issues of this region

Our skill objectives are: 

1. to practice critical thinking
2. to learn how to write and communicate more effectively (see my grading criteria for writing)

Requirements

Because this is a region of which most students know little, informative lectures will be combined with discussions and presentations. This requires maximum attention no only to attendance, but also active participation. The course grading is also weighted heavily to reading, understanding, and writing. The bulk of each student's grade will be derived from written evaluations of our readings and participation in discussions of them. Exams will focus both on fine details and broad interpretive questions.

All assignments are due at the beginning of class, and no late submissions will be accepted once class has started. They will receive a zero. Although this sounds harsh and unyielding, it allows me to evaluate all work equally. Even a minute more editing gives the late student an unfair advantage over the students who submit their work on time. Likewise, your timely attendance at all classes, except when absences are excusable and documented, is expected. Failure to appear and actively participate WILL affect your grade.

Out of respect for me and your peers, please turn off cell phones. I will answer the calls and ask you to leave the classroom for the rest of the period.

Plagiarism. This course follows the College's policy on plagiarism as defined in Students Records, Rights, and Responsibilities and Proscriptions on Conduct. Please ask any questions in advance in order to avoid potential problems. Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a college. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the Student Handbook.

Grading

Report on GDR conference	5 percent
Book summaries	20 percent
Midterm Exam	20 percent
Final Exam	20 percent
Country/nationality project	25 percent
Participation	10 percent

Participation is attendance and active engagement in discussions.

All writing tasks, including papers, must be rewritten until they represent "C" quality work.  The final grade for each task will be an average of all attempts, but not higher than a "C".  This, hopefully, will encourage the best possible work on the first attempt and reward students accordingly.  It should also ensure that by the end of the course each student should be well on her/his way to becoming a successful and effective writer. Your rewrite is due one week after I have returned the papers to the class.

Disability Statement

If you have a disability requiring accommodations, please notify me immediately about those requirements. Likewise, any conflicts with religious holidays must be pointed out to me by the end of the second week.

Reading List

2007 Department of History Pflaum Lecutre. Dr. Conrad Crane will present "Wandering in the Desert: An Historian's Attempt toInfluence the War in Iraq" Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00 PM i n the Stern Great Room.