History 1XX: Revolutions

Signature Question 2: How do people understand and engage in community life?

Karl E. Loewenstein

Office:  Sage Hall 3613

Office Hours: MWF: 11:30 -1 PM or by appt.

E-mail: loewenst@uwosh.edu

Office phone: 424-2462

Home phone: 233-4831

Goals and Objectives

This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of revolutions in three cases:  America, France, and Russia.  Using these three case studies, we will discuss political practices, revolutionary theory, language of violence, and consider at what point societies break from earlier systems.  When does the desire for change turn violent?  What drives people to revolt?  Why do some reject the traditions of their society?  Is there pattern to revolution?  Using these large themes, we will develop an idea about how we create a functioning community and how that consensus breaks down. 

Readings

Hanna Arendt, On Revolution

Arno Mayer, The Furies: Violence and Terror in the French and Russian Revolutions

Assorted primary sources

Assignments

Students will read a mix of primary historical sources and more recent texts by scholars to develop a historical understanding of the development of these crucial momentst.  Students will be required to read a large variety of works and lead class discussions about them.

Each student will lead at least one class on a specific reading.  Then, the student will write an essay about that document and experience.  Finally, all students are expected to support their classmates by participating in daily discussions.

There will also be a final examination that will ask students to contemplate the lessons of revolution and community.