ISSS 4010    WORLD WAR II: EXPERIENCES OF TOTAL WAR      

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Program/ University of Virginia

Undergraduate Course, 3.0 Credit Hours

Ann Marie Plunkett, Ph.D.      Fall  2015         Tuesdays, 7:00-9:45 pm
E-mail: amp8p@virginia.edu   Phone: (434) 227-8061; (434) 296-7332; Meetings by appointment
 

CLASS OVERVIEW

The Second World War was truly a global conflict that resulted in over fifty million deaths- over half of these civilians- awesome physical destruction, and the transformation of international political, economic, and social systems. This course will provide an overview of the war, focusing on the experiences of soldiers and civilians, as well as addressing key questions about the origins of the conflict, the strategies adopted by political and military leaders, the reasons for the Allied victory, and the nature of the racial and ethnic hatreds that were such a striking feature of the war in Europe  and Asia.

LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENTS COMPONENTS

The student will gain knowledge about, and insight into the experience of   people affected by World War II  -  both military  and civilians--  and demonstrate  this by writing  and speaking analytically and critically about  this topic.  To achieve these objectives, students will be responsible for and  graded as follows:  two short  essays based on course readings-  35%  ; a  longer paper  based on primary and secondary sources , 25%; final essays- 25%,  and class participation, which includes contribution to class discussion and  attendance - 15%.  Class activities will  include  discussion of assigned readings, short lectures,  and viewing of  videos and websites.  We will use our UVA Collab site extensively for  supplementary readings and other resources, and  assignments will be found and submitted there. Late papers will be penalized.  All  work must be pledged.

REQUIRED READING

Parker, R.A.C., The Second World War: A Short History  (revised edition)

ISBN-13: 978-0192802071

Bergen, Doris, War and Genocide,  ISBN-13: 978-0742557154

Sledge, E. With the Old Breed  (Prasidio)  ISBN-13: 978-0891419068

 

All three are paperbacks and  are also available on the Kindle.

 Please be careful when you order since there  are   books with similar names.

 

There will also be  regular assigned  readings on Collab and some handouts.

 

Criteria for Grading:

A   Assignment done completely with thought, care, and insight, well-written and on time.

B Assignment done completely and reasonably well, clearly written, on time.

C Assignment done just adequately, reflecting minimal effort, late.

D Assignment is poorly done and may be missing components, later.

Grading scale: A(93-99), A-(90-92), B+ (88-89), B (83-87), B- (80-82), C+(78-79),

C(73-77), C-(70-72), D+ (68-69), D ( 63-67), D- (60-62), F (below 60)

 

University of Virginia Honor System:  All work should be pledged in the spirit of the Honor System at the University of Virginia. The instructor will indicate which assignments and activities are to be done individually and which permit collaboration. The following pledge should be written out at the end of all quizzes, examinations, individual assignments and papers:  “I pledge that I have neither given nor received help  on this examination (quiz, assignment, etc.)”. 

   The pledge must be signed by the student. For more information please visit  Honor System.

 

Technical Support Contacts:

• Login/Password: scpshelpdesk@virginia.edu
• UVaCollab: collab-support@virginia.edu
• BbCollaborate (Elluminate) Support: scpshelpdesk@virginia.edu
• http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com

 

 

Special Needs:

It is the policy of the University of Virginia to accommodate students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state laws. Any SCPS student with a disability who needs accommodation (e.g., in arrangements for seating, extended time for examinations, or note-taking, etc.), should contact the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) and provide them with appropriate medical or psychological documentation of his/her condition. Once accommodations are approved, it is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the instructor about logistics and implementation of accommodations. Accommodations for test taking should be arranged at least 14 business days in advance of the date of the test(s). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the SDAC: 434-243-5180/Voice, 434-465-6579/Video Phone, 434-243-5188/Fax. Further policies and statements are available at www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/sdac/sdac.html  For further policies and statements about student rights and responsibilities, please visit www.scps.virginia.edu/audience/students

 

University Email Policies:

Students are expected to check their official U.Va. email addresses on a frequent and consistent basis to remain informed of University communications, as certain communications may be time sensitive. Students who fail to check their email on a regular basis are responsible for any resulting consequences.

Communication is essential. Life happens, but these days we can be in touch, if not immediately, very soon. You are responsible for contacting me if you must miss class or if you don’t turn in work on time, and for being fully aware of due dates. I am here to work with you. Please let me know if I can be of help.

Schedule of Topics , Readings, Assignments

August 25: Introduction and  Roots of Conflict

Handouts

September 1:  Germans and the Third Reich; 

Parker, ch.1; Bergen , pp.vii-80  

September 8:   Germany at War;  Britain  Alone,

Parker,  ch. 2, 3; Bergen, 80-100

September 15:  War in the Soviet Union

Parker , ch.4

1^st Paper due

September 22 :  “Experiments in Brutality” and War on the Jews  Begins

Bergen, pp. 101- 165

September  29:  Japan at War; Entry of the U.S.

Parker, ch.5 and 6

October 6- No Class – Reading Day

October 13:  End of German Expansion; Parker, ch. 7, 8 and 12;

2^nd Paper Due

October 20: Home Fronts

Parker, ch.  9,10, 11;

October 27:  Home  Fronts

Collab readings TBA

November 3: War in the Pacific;  A Marine  Remembers;

Sledge TBA

November 10:  War in the Pacific;  A Marine  Remembers

Sledge TBA

November 17: The Holocaust;

Parker, ch. 17;  Bergen, pp. 167-243

November 24 : Allied Victory

Parker, ch.  13, 14, 15

3^rd PAPER DUE

December 1:  Allied Victory The  Impact of War

Parker, ch.16,  18

December 8  FINAL ESSAYS DUE