This course can coordinate with my British Literature courses if desired.  This class is taught at a standard level, however, I am able to offer additional work as well as AP designation on your transcript if you would like your student to take this class at an AP level as I am an AP authorized teacher--please contact me about this option.

This course is a rhetorical level course intended to introduce the student to the major themes and moments in the first half of modern European history from 1450.  This course will involve both writing and reading.  We will be reading a full-range of primary documents from each time period and geographical area we study.  You will be learning how to read, think about, analyze, argue with, and present ideas about history and to connect events to the larger trends and themes in European history.

This class is a discussion-based, interactive format.  Each week you will be responsible for reading background material and assigned primary documents.  You will be expected to write a reading response for each of your readings.  These reading responses should be 1-2 pages on the background material for each time period in history and the important elements of the work.  You should be building a timeline of major events in world history across geographical boundaries.    In class, we will spend much time discussing our reading, putting themes in their historical context and asking questions about the author’s and our own worldviews.  I expect you to come to class prepared to participate in this discussion. You will also be assigned brief presentations.  These presentations will involve researching the biographical information for significant figures and key information for major moments we will study in class. 

1-What is history?  

2-Italian Renaissance
	
3-Northern Renaissance

4-Reformation-Luther and later reformers

5-Reformation-English

6-Catholic Reformation

7-Religious Wars-France and Spain

8-Religious Wars-30 Years War

9-Constitutionalism-English Civil War

10-Absolutism-Louis XIV

11-Eastern Europe-Hapsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Russia

12-Scientific Revolution

13-18th century life and society-village life and witchhunts

14-Agricultural Revolution

15-Test 1

16-Enlightenment-Characteristics

17-Enlightenment-Philosophes

18-Enlightened Despots-Frederick and Catherine

19-Mercantilism and colonies--early Imperialism

20-Maritime Powers-Age of Walpole, Spain, Netherlands, France

21-Territorial conflict within Europe-7 Years' War

22-French Revolution-early stages

23-French Revolution-radical phase

24-Napoleon

25-Early Industrial Revolution

26-Economic theories of the 19th century

27-Romanticism

28-Concert of Europe and Conservatism

29-Rise of Liberalism and Nationalism

30-Test 2/Revolutions of 1848