Many Europes: Choice and Chance in Western Civilization

More and more we are challenged by today’s learning environment – students are different, digital tools are evolving, and instructors are continually asked to do more with less yet show greater results. With the creation of Many Europes, Choice & Chance in Western Civilization, an entirely integrated program, we recognize this changing environment and set out with the goal of better meeting the western civilization course challenges of improving student performance, critical analysis skills, and overall comprehension in a continually evolving teaching and learning environment.

What does it mean – integrated program? Rather than a traditional narrative text that then has ancillary support material or supplements tacked onto it, Many Europes was constructed as a program. Each narrative section has clearly stated learning objectives that are tied to the digital tools which drive the program’s assessment. A key tool in driving knowledge is McGraw-Hill’s LearnSmart, an adaptive assessment tool, which has proven results of increasing student comprehension and overall course results. Yet, we realize that while history instructors want students to know basic historical facts, the actual goal of the course is improving student’s critical thinking abilities. Our Critical Missions develop analysis skills through the examination of maps, primary sources and the completion of a written argument. In addition, several other assignment types within McGraw-Hill’s Connect drive the development of analysis skills and are also tied directly to learning objectives.

What do we mean by Choice? Unique to this program, Many Europes discusses European history as a series of choices within a set of historical circumstances, driving greater critical analysis as students realize that Europe's fate was never inevitable but instead was created by individuals with diverse voices and perspectives. Choice also means flexibility. Many Europes’ flexible content including a customizable documents collection available as print or digital as well as many user options from a completely digital experience to a hybrid print and digital experience, or if you must, an all print experience.

What do we mean by Chance? In history chance shows itself as a dropped letter, an unexpected storm, or surprise turn of events. Chance can also show itself as a new way, path, or direction that allows for the anticipation and expectation of something better. Many Europes’ flexible content coupled with powerful digital learning tools and a customizable documents collection gives users an innovative choice for the teaching and learning of Western Civilization as well as a better chance for improved student results and course outcomes.

CHAPTER 1 - PRELIMINARY TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION
CHAPTER 2 - MANY GREECES
CHAPTER 3 - THE HELLENISTIC AGES: ACHIEVEMENTS AND ANXIETIES
CHAPTER 4 - THE ROMAN REPUBLIC: SURVIVAL AND SUCCESS
CHAPTER 5 - FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE
CHAPTER 6 - THE SLOW TURN FROM ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL
CHAPTER 7 - THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES
CHAPTER 8 - THE ROMANESQUE CENTRAL MIDDLE AGES
CHAPTER 9 - THE GOTHIC HIGH MIDDLE AGES
CHAPTER 10 - THE NEW WORLD OF THE LATE MIDDLE AGES
CHAPTER 11 - THE NORTHERN ITALIAN AND EUROPEAN RENAISSANCES
CHAPTER 12 - EUROPE TAKES TO THE OCEANS
CHAPTER 13 - THE RELIGIOUS RE-FORMATION OF EUROPE
CHAPTER 14 - ABSOLUTISM AND WAR IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
CHAPTER 15 - THE OLD REGIMES AND THEIR REVOLUTIONS, 1600-1789
CHAPTER 16 - MANY ENLIGHTENMENTS
CHAPTER 17 - THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND THE NAPOLEONIC WARS
CHAPTER 18 - LIVING IN THE PAST, SEEING THE FUTURE: RESTORATION, NATIONALISM, AND INDUSTRIALIZATION, 1815-1850
CHAPTER 19 - EUROPE UNIFIED, EUROPE DIVIDED, 1850–1880
CHAPTER 20 - IMPERIALISM AND RESISTANCE, 1830-1914
CHAPTER 21 - THE CRISIS OF LIBERALISM AND THE MAKING OF MASS SOCIETY, 1880-1914
CHAPTER 22 - THE GREAT WAR
CHAPTER 23 - THE INTERWAR ERA: THE SEARCH FOR STABILITY
CHAPTER 24 - WORLD WAR II
CHAPTER 25 - THE COLD WAR AND DECOLONIZATION, 1945-1988
CHAPTER 26 - EUROPE AFTER 1989: ONE AND MANY