Feb-Mar 2012

Mon
27 Intro: What is a Revolution?

Tues
28 Science, History, Factories, Karl Marx Marxist Algebra Project

Wed
29 Russia: The Place and the People Map of Russia

Thur
1 The Russian Revolution: Personalities & Parties Portraits 8 The Events of the Chinese Revolution Posters

Fri
2 The Russian Revolution Unfolds Posters

5 The Russian Revolution: Its Legacy

6 China: The Place and the People Map of China

7 The Chinese Revolution: Personalities and Parties Portraits 14 The Events of the Cuban Revolution Posters

9 The Chinese Revolution: The Legacy

12 Cuba: The Place 13 The Cuban and the People Revolution: Map of Cuba Personalities and Parties Portraits

15 The Cuban Revolution: The Legacy

16 Vocabulary, Photo ID, and Geography Exam

As the Industrial Revolution spread through Europe and into the rest of the world a philosophy (some would say a theology) came to animate many of the political upheavals of the 20th century. That philosophy was Marxism and as it spread it adopted new and varied languages, locations, and goals. What nearly always stayed the same was Marxisms inspiration to revolution, its desire to turn the economic pyramid upside down, and in so doing radically reform not only human societies but even human nature. During the course of this class we will learn the basics of Marxist philosophy and look in detail at how it shaped revolutions in three very distinct parts of the world Russia, China, and Cuba. The goal of this class is to immerse students in these societies, learn the basic contours of their history, and show the overwhelming power that can come from a single idea. Evaluative Tasks: Memorization and Presentation of a passage from the Communist Manifesto (+/- 5 points) o Students will be evaluated on their memorization and their articulate, dramatic presentation of a passage. Portraits of Three Revolutionaries or Reactionaries (+/- 3 points each) o Students will be evaluated on the care, detail, originality, and overall aesthetic quality of their portraits. Three Recreations of Revolutionary Posters (+/- 3 points each) o Students will be evaluated on the care, detail, and accuracy of their recreations. Maps of Russia, China, and Cuba (+/- 3 points each) o Students will be evaluated on the care, detail, scale, proportion, completeness, and accuracy of their maps. Final Exam (+/- 15 points) o Students will be evaluated on the completeness and accuracy of their answers. Attendance and Punctuality (+/- 5 points) o Students will be evaluated on their attendance and punctuality, with double points taken for illegitimate absences. Classroom Comportment (+/- 10 points) o Students will be evaluated on their participation in discussion and activities, focus and engagement during lecture, efficient use of their in-class work time, and respectfulness toward their peers and instructors. +/- 0 needed to pass The 25/50 rule is in effect for this class. If a student misses 25% (4) or more of the class sessions s/he will receive an automatic failing grade. If a student is late for and/or absent for 50% (8) or more of the class sessions s/he will receive an automatic failing grade.