Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - HIST 224 D100

Europe from the French Revolution to the First World War (3)

Class Number: 2325

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of European history emphasizing the French Revolution, and Napoleonic Europe and first Industrial Revolution, liberalism and its opponents, agrarian conservatism, liberalism and conservatism, the Revolutions of 1848, the struggles for political unification, the second Industrial Revolution and the origins of the First World War. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Our subject/themes

What makes a century a century? Technically, a century consists of 100 years, but we regularly use periods longer or shorter than this to designate historical eras held together, or pulled in tension, by key transformations. In this survey course, we will explore Europe’s “long nineteenth century” through the study of European and imperial spaces, events, populations, politics, and cultures from the French Revolution of 1789 to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Throughout the term, we will emphasize “Europe” as an idea forged in relationship to other ideas and (often violent) practices, including the building of nations, the hierarchical definition of races, and the development of extractive and exploitative colonialisms across the globe. Taking a broad approach geographically, chronologically, and thematically, we will come at European history during this period via a range of primary and secondary sources, including written and audiovisual materials (literature, art, music, etc.).

Skills we’ll be working on in this course

  • key events, actors & themes: becoming familiar with the major historical shifts, figures, and ideas of the “long nineteenth century” in Europe and empire
  • critical literacy: understanding and responding to primary source material, scholarly argument, and interpretation via a range of media from written texts to literary, artistic, musical expression
  • writing: developing skills in different genres while working in stages including free writing, co-writing, peer response, and revision
  • oral communication +: engaging in group discussion and presentations online via Canvas and in person

Grading

  • Course participation 15%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Write NOW assignments (completed in class) 50%
  • Course Log 25%

NOTES:

Students who required specific accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required course materials will be accessible in electronic form via the SFU Library, or Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.