HIST 339 World War II in Europe

Overview of Course

This course is designed to explore the origins, operations, and consequences of World War II. We will examine the legacy of World War I, the rise of communism, fascism, and totalitarianism in Europe, combat experiences, the role of new technologies and weapons of mass destruction, civilians caught in war, resistance and collaboration, refugees, and the Holocaust. We will also examine how the war accelerated the collapse of European empires abroad, and how this collapse affected the countries we will visit. We will make use of novels, memoirs, documents, poetry, first-hand accounts, oral histories, propaganda, documentaries, songs, and films to illuminate the war’s effects at home and abroad. We will also focus heavily on the “memory” of World War II, what gets remembered and why? What narratives have been emphasized, downplayed or ignored? What does World War II mean to us today? To answer these questions, we will examine how WWII has been remembered in each country we visit, comparing battle sites, museums, memorials, and cemeteries.

Learning outcomes include explaining the causes of World War II and situating the war within its larger historical context, comparing both soldiers’ and civilians’ experiences across geographic regions, and assessing the way World War II has been remembered from 1945 to the present through country site visits. Students will also examine a range of primary and secondary sources and use these sources to provide historical context to compare World War II’s long-lasting effects on the people and places we experience.