Description
Discussion Overview
Welcome to our exciting journey through a pivotal era in world history – the age of the Atlantic Revolutions and the Unification in Europe. Our discussions will explore the transformative processes that have shaped the modern world. The Atlantic Revolutions and the European Unification movements were more than mere historical episodes; they were the crucibles in which current political ideologies, national identities, and concepts of human rights were forged. Studying these revolutions gives you essential insights into the contemporary global political landscape. Our work also offers a lens through which you can better understand current issues like nationalism, democracy, and international relations.
These periods were marked by significant change, yet they were also rooted in longstanding historical traditions and contexts. Engaging in our discussion will help you trace the origins of these movements, understand their evolution, and appreciate their enduring impact. This understanding is key to grasping how historical forces shape our present and future.
Engaging in discussions also enhances your ability to think critically and analytically. We will not just recount historical facts; we will analyze causes and consequences, debate interpretations, and challenge prevailing narratives. This approach is vital in developing a nuanced understanding of history and its complexities.
Our work is inherently interdisciplinary, intertwining politics, economics, culture, and sociology. The lectures are designed to connect these dots, offering you a holistic view of the eras studied. Such an approach enriches your learning experience, enabling you to appreciate the multifaceted nature of historical developments.
Your active participation is not only encouraged but essential. Engaging with your peers and instructors will deepen your understanding, expose you to diverse perspectives, and enhance your communication skills.
Beyond the content, this module will equip you with valuable skills in both academic and professional settings. Critical thinking, analytical writing, effective communication, and the ability to contextualize current events are competencies that will serve you well, regardless of your career path.
In conclusion, our discussion is an opportunity to develop skills, engage with challenging ideas, and understand the forces that have shaped our world. Please immerse yourself fully in the lectures, discussions, and readings. Your active participation will enrich your learning experience and your peers.
Looking forward to an enlightening and engaging journey together.
Please message me through the Canvas inbox if you cannot meet our deadline. I want you to succeed and want to help everyone complete the class.
Pick one of the following:
OPTION A
African Americans in the American Revolution. If the link is not working, please email me. I can provide another (or you can use an alternate you find, if it is a .org or .edu link). What contributions did African Americans make, and why did they engage in the revolution? When you think about the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, how is it possible to make sense of slavery? Also, please listen to Frederick Douglas’ speech on the 4th of July, as read by his descendants as we think about equality, equity, and race. If you would like to include more information, you can use outside online sources that end in .edu or .org. Just please don’t use Wikipedia or AI. Be sure to respond to one other student.
OPTION B
Option B: After reading the chapter on the French Revolution and the information embedded in this question, discuss the other causes of the French Revolution. Chart the changing nature of the French Revolution; how did the agenda of the revolution change over time? Assess the revolution and tell us whether or not you think the French Revolution was successful and why. If you would like to include more information, you can use outside online sources that end in .edu or .org. Please don’t use Wikipedia or AI. Be sure to respond to one other student.
You might find this optional Crash Course video interesting:
OPTION C
Option C: What do we mean by the industrial revolution? How did it impact slavery in the U.S. and the American Civil War? Please watch The Story of US, Episode 5. It is a great video and will really help you answer the question. I won’t ask test questions from the video, but I think you will benefit from watching it. If you would like to include more information, you can use outside online sources that end in .edu or .org. Please don’t use Wikipedia or AI. Be sure you respond to one of your peers.
OPTION D
Option D: The unification of Germany, Italy, and Austria changed the balance of power in Europe. Also, changes in Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries changed its social structure and led to political changes. For this option, I would like us to focus on Russia. We will get opportunities to study Germany and Italy more deeply when we discuss WWI and II. I would like you to discuss efforts to reform Russia economically, agriculturally, and politically and the development of Marxist thought in Russia. If you would like to include more information, you can use outside online sources that end in .edu or .org. Please don’t use Wikipedia or AI. Please remember to respond to one of your peers.
OPTION E
Option E: I am curious to read your thoughts on racism and anti-Semitism. What is “scientific racism,” and how did it develop? What were the main beliefs of Social Darwinists? In what ways do you see these beliefs helping to support/justify European expansion and rigorous class distinctions? How did Social Darwinism support the growth of Anti-Semitism? What were the long-term consequences of racism and Anti-Semitism? If you would like to include more information, you can use outside online sources that end in .edu or .org. Just please don’t use Wikipedia or AI. Please remember to respond to one person.
Outcomes and Objectives
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
We will begin assessing our student learning outcomes:
Analyze primary and secondary sources and explain how they support a thesis statement.
Explain relationships between the causes of historical events and their effects.
Describe a relevant individual involved in a historical event and explain his/her significance in this event.
OBJECTIVES
Module Objectives:
Explore the French Revolution, the 1848 Revolution, and the Russian Revolution.
Evaluate the impact of these revolutions on the political and social structures of Europe.
Exploring the Unification of European Nations:
Investigate the unification processes of key nations like Germany and Italy, understanding the roles of pivotal figures, socio-political movements, and international dynamics.
Discuss the implications of national unification on regional stability, national identities, and European geopolitics.
Examining the History and Evolution of Anti-Semitism:
Trace the origins and developments of anti-Semitic ideologies and practices in Europe.
Assess the impact of anti-Semitism on European societies, particularly focusing on the late 19th and 20th centuries, including the Holocaust.
Interconnections and Historical Continuity:
Identify and analyze the interconnections between revolutions, national unification, and the rise of anti-Semitic movements.
Understand these themes’ historical continuity and relevance to contemporary European issues.
Critical Analysis and Historical Empathy:
Encourage critical thinking and historical empathy, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex nature of these historical events and their human impact.
Engaging with Diverse Perspectives:
Engage with various historical sources and interpretations, promoting an appreciation of diverse perspectives in historical scholarship.
Instructions
INITIAL POST:
Please remember I am looking for a minimum of 350 words for your main post, in which you show your understanding of our Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), the concepts and themes explored in the course, and how your readings relate to them. I’ll be looking for you to quote or paraphrase material from the readings to support your answer. When you quote or paraphrase material, which you should do to support your work :-), be sure to cite. l will be looking to make sure you have included quotes. Use any citation style – MLA, APA, and Chicago styles are all fine. MLA is the easiest, but I know them all. A simple in-text citation is also perfect for me (Feres, Lecture). Even when paraphrasing, please reference the material at the end of your post.
REPLY POSTS(S):
You will also respond to one other student with the same due date during the same period. The response should be a minimum of 150 words. Your response should be substantive. I do not want you to agree or disagree but rather comment on why you agree or disagree, raise more points, indicate commonalities or differences, discuss the issue using our readings, and raise new questions about which we can all think. The response can be a well-developed paragraph at maximum. A sentence will not get you credit. I don’t want you to respond with “Great job. Keep it up.” That is an F response. Failure to respond to 1 other student will result in 15 points being deducted from your grade. This counts for every week.
Netiquette
As you read and respond to others’ posts, keep in mind some basic netiquette rules:
Be kind and respectful to others
Use full sentences
Don’t use too much jargon
Treat others online as you wish to be treated
Use language that supports others
Grading & Feedback
The anticipated turn-around time for grading is 3-5 days
The criteria is outlined in the rubric. Click the “options” (3-dots) menu at the top of the page to see the rubric for this discussion.
I will respond to every tenth post in the discussions with general replies. I will respond in Grades using either a written or oral comment when I give grades to help you improve future points or praise excellence.
Please use my or our TAs feedback to improve future discussions
Canvas Guides
Here are some Canvas guides you can use to help you navigate discussion posts and submit your discussion replies
How do I view discussions?
How do I reply to a discussion?
