HIST 407/507: Augustus and Hitler
Spring Term, 2008
John Nicols, Professor of history and of Classics
Seminar meets :  We., 15:00 to 17:50
Classroom: 475 McKenzie Hall
CRN: 35567 (for HIST407)
Contact: nic@uoregon.edu; ph. 346.4817
Office: 385 McKenzie Hall
Office hours: FR noon to 2pm, and by appointment

To enroll in this course, students must obtain the permission of the instructor.

Prospectus: This course examines the progress of two gangsters, C. Octavius (aka "Augustus") and Adolph Hitler. There are striking similarities in their careers. Both rose to prominence in the period of intense social conflict brought on by devastating wars and uncertain peace. In both cultures, traditional values were questioned and neglected; in both cases, their way to power was marked by violence and unconstitutional behavior. As they reached their goals, both preserved the appearance of the constitution, yet systematically undermined the legal order. Both had an interest in architecture and literature; both sought to legitimize their legally uncertain status by grand building projects, by social welfare projects, and by an appeal to traditional family values. Despite the similarities, history's judgment of Augustus is far kindlier than that accorded to Hitler.

In this course we will spend the first third of the sessions working through the material on the career Augustus; in the second third we turn to a review of how Hitler rose to power. We will then spend a session or two on the historiographical question, namely, how to make sense of the different judgments on the two men. Thereafter students will present their papers either on a significant aspect of the careers of Augustus or Hitler or on a "tyrant" of their choice from another era (selected with my approval).

This course is a seminar. Your grade depends on your participation in the discussion (50% of the grade) and on your research paper (50%). While I will not be making any specific assignments in the Shotter and Kershaw books mentioned in the syllabus, I do expect students to read these books and also to be able to use the information in the two historical atlases also assigned. Please bring the latter to the appropriate classes.

For a description of class meetings please go to the schedule; and to this link for information on the paper.

By the beginning of the spring term, I recommend that students read these two short books (I am NOT ordering these two from through the bookstore).

Coursebooks(ordered through the bookstore):