HISTORY 498 Fall 2000 Dr. Peter Mellini

Sonoma State University Office: S -2084-I

Wednesdays: 6:00 - 9:40 Hours: Wednesdays 3-5

E-mail address: Peter.Mellini@sonoma.edu                T & Th 11-12 & by appt.

Who can refute him? Samuel Hynes

The Second World War and the horrors it brought--including the atom bomb, which was produced out of fear that Hitler might be the first to obtain it--was no more inevitable than his rise to power.

Professor Henry A. Turner, 1997

Description: This senior seminar will focus on the causes, course and consequences of the Second World War. After a series of discussions, students will research and present an historical essay on an aspect of World War Two, accompanied by an annotated bibliography.

Books: Keith Eubank, World War II: Roots and Causes, 1992 2nd. edn.

Kate L, Turabian, A Manual for the Writing of Theses and Dissertations latest edn.,

Students will do intensive historical research on the Second World War, using primary and secondary sources, including documents, articles, books, films, and recordings found in Bay Area libraries and archives and in the resources of the World Wide Web. You will develop a bibliography, then research, write and critique a historical essay on a topic to negotiated with the instructor. Topics chosen can be world-wide, or "domestic" American history, or both, as long as they deal with the Second World War. In the process you will develop your knowledge of the period and its historical literature, as well as hone your research skills and your critical skills in the assessment of sources.

Preparation for teaching world history will be included. Students preparing for teaching might use the seminar to develop their general historical knowledge as well as themes or subjects that they can exploit in the classroom. Students aiming for law, journalism, business or public service may shape their work to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Research, prepare and present a research paper of at least 3000 words, with the necessary scholarly apparatus, and an annotated bibliography. Regular attendance, and active participation in the seminar is essential, including assessment of your classmates work.

Graduate Students See the instructor for additional requirements

1) In consultation with the instructor, decide on a theme or topic.

2) Familiarize yourself with the resources of the area's libraries, and other relevant sources, including those on the World Wide Web. By the second class, All students must have an e-mail account. We will be using the class listing on SSU History Department Web Site, under Peter Mellini, to facilitate class discussion of sources and the course.

3) Prepare a general list of the sources you need and propose to use. Develop a thesis statement, with an outline of your proposed research and a "working " annotated bibliography.

4) Present these to the class for a critique electronically. DUE in class by SEPTEMBER 20th

5) Draft at least five pages of your seminar paper, along with an annotated bibliography. Duplicate these to be critiqued by the class Due: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18th in class.

6) Then complete a research paper of at least 3000 words ( 12 to 14 double-spaced pages, if typewritten) with the appropriate scholarly apparatus, such as foot or end notes, and an annotated bibliography, or a bibliographical essay on the sources available. Your form and style must conform to the Chicago Manual of Style, found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Theses and Dissertations, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, latest edition.

DUE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, along with copies for the class.

7) Final draft-- revised and polished-- DUE on TUESDAY, December 13h

DATE Activity Assignment: Readings:

August 23 The causes of the Second World War See hand outs & note assignments ----Discussion of expectations & requirements. reading in Eubank, World War II:

----Introduction to Research Resources      Roots and Causes & TBA

---- An introduction to World War Two Film: Banzai - Japan goes to war                                          

August 30The War begins in Europe, 1939-1940 Eubank, World War II I, II, III, IV

--More causes and early course of World War Two Film: A Peace of Paper

--Explore sources and topics...with the instructor & class. A Distant War; Alone-the Battle

--Consult with faculty, Work in the Schulz's Library and other archives. of Britain; France Falls

--Meet with instructor by appointment, and consult with Tim Houston in the Library on sources.

September 6 Hitler's Europe, 1940 -1941 Eubank, World War II, V, VI, VII

---Prepare a thesis statement. Film: Barbarossa, 1941

---Begin to develop an outline & bibliography

September 13 War begins in the Pacific and Asia, 1940-42 Film: Banzai, The Pacific

` On Our Way : The USA

September 20 The Turning Point in Europe, 1942-43 -44 Films : Stalingrad ; Red Star

--Critique thesis statements and outlines, & review and share sources. Morning; D Day

Thesis statement due, with outline & bibliography.

September 27 The Home Fronts Films Home Fires: Britain, 1940- 1944; Inside the Reich : Japan

October 4 Victory in Asia Continue research, consultation and drafting Required: Films:        Dutch Van Kirk " Dropping the Atom Bomb" The Day After Trinity; The Bomb

October 11 The Defeat of the Axis in Europe Eubank, World War II, VIII

Doug Powell, "The GI's War " Films: Pincers: Conquest .

Nemisis ; Remember

October 18 The Consequences of World War Two Genocide Eubank, World War II. IX      Five-page research paper, and revised outline due.

     Collect  copies of your colleagues' papers to critique. EXCHANGE in class                                                

October 25 Meet to present and critique your seminar papers. First Class Presentations

----Two to three students will present each evening.

-----Instructions to be passed out earlier.

November 1, 8, 15 Presentations and critiques   

SEMINAR PAPER DUE NOVEMBER 8th

November 23 Happy Thanksgiving

November 29, December 6 Presentations and critiques continue

NOVEMBER 29 SEMINAR PAPER critique returned.

December 13 EDITED SEMINAR PAPER DUE

attributed to Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917

Stephen Ambrose, The Second World War (1997)

Martha Byrd, A World in Flames: A History of World War II (1970)

Peter Calvacoressi & Guy Wint Total War (1989)

I.C.B. Dear & M. R. D. Foot, The Oxford Companion to World War II (1995)

John Keegan, The Second World War (1989) See also "Fifty books on the Second World War"

Alan Milward, War, Economy and Society, 1939-1945 (1977)

John L. Snell, Illusion and Necessity :The Diplomacy of Global War 1939-1945 (1963)

Gerhard Weinburg, A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II (1994) See his    bibliographical essay

Chester Wilmot, The Struggle for Europe (1952) dated but still useful.

Gordon Wright, The Ordeal of Total War (1968 )

Note: The powers involved have published multi-volume official histories. Depending on your topic you may need to consult them. Suggestions for additions are very welcome.

Research Libraries/Archives in the Region

All California State University libraries, i.e. SF State, Hayward, etc., with your student ID card.

---Interlibrary loans. Can return through SSU. Use interlibrary loans.

The Sutro Library and Labor Archives , 480 Winston Drive, near SF State.

Labor Archives hours: 1-5 Mon.- Fri. 415/564-4010

UC, Berkeley. Doe (Main ]Library & The Bancroft Library rare books & manuscripts,

Moffitt (Undergrad ) & NRLF -Northern Regional Library Facility (510) 232-7767

Stanford University: The Greene Library - the main library] & Undergrad Library

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University

The National Archives in San Mateo 1000 Commodore Drive, San Bruno (415) 876-9009

The California State Library, Sacramento

Sources on the World Wide Web To be developed jointly

Style Manuals- Be sure you are familiar with the style manuals:

Jacques Barzun and Henry F. Graff, The Modern Researcher (revised edn.)

New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.

The Chicago Manual of Style (latest edn.) Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

MLA Style Sheet, Compiled by William Riley Parker, rev. edn. New York : Modern Language Association of America. NOT TO BE USED

Strunk, William and White, E. B. The Elements of Style. (latest edn.)

New York: Macmillan Publishing Co. -- how to write clearly, even gracefully.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for the Writing of Theses and Dissertations

Chicago: University of Chicago Press, latest edn.

your "bible" for scholarly form. You are to cleave to it, and to use no other!

History Graduate Students are to survey the general histories for World War Two, listed above and assess them for 1) coverage and balance 2) You are also to use your paper to develop a list of primary sources for your topic.. What I would like to see is these sources with annotations, and

any additional general histories you found. 3) Survey the World Wide Web and assess the sites on World War two. A SUGGESTION: You-all might want to split the labor, and divide up 1) and 3)