HI 382 World War II

Intermediate Writing. Arts & Letters-History. World War II was the most destructive conflict in history; about 60 million people were killed worldwide in a 'war of annihilation.' This course covers the historical origins of the war in Europe and the Pacific, the major political and military aspects of the conflict in Europe, Asia, Africa and in the Pacific, how it led to genocide, and issues related to the war's lasting impact. We will balance the study of the war's leading personalities with exploration of the experience of the millions of everyday soldiers and civilians who endured unspeakable suffering. The course will attend to the 'moral history' of the war: the obliteration of law and combat rules, deliberate starvation, bombing of cities, war crimes, atrocities, the fraught experiences of countries under occupation, and, for the Germans, the centrality of the Nazi Rassenkampf ("race struggle"). By reading, analyzing, and discussing texts in addition to the textbook, students will sharpen their critical reading and analytical skills, writing skills, and ability to discuss concepts in a group situation. The course will be conducted through reading, discussion, and lectures. Class participation will be an important component of the final grade. The 300-level students will be expected to develop their research and argumentation skills by writing a research paper that brings new information and interpretations to the class, showing they can evaluate primary source documents. The 300-level students will also be expected to develop their own ideas about historical connections and comparisons. 300-level students will be excused from taking quizzes, but will be expected to attend six discussion sessions and will mentor 200-level discussions. HI 382 students will also serve as leaders during regular class discussion. Students not meeting the course prerequisites for HI 382 are encouraged to take the cross-listed course, HI 282. Students can't take or get credit for one course if they have taken the other.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Take CORE 110 or HNR 150. Take 1 OC, oral communications course.

Corequisite

Take TH 101 previously or concurrently. Take 1 PR, philosophical reasoning course previously or concurrently.

Distribution

HIS,IW

Offered

At the Discretion of the Dept