Delivered at:: School of History

Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 4 year, 1, 2 module

Instructors

Beisswenger, Martin

Voronovici, Alexandr

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course studies the political history of twentieth-century Europe, China, Iran, the United States and others and the political systems they represented, such as democracy, Fascism, National Socialism, and Communism. It examines how political ideas and concepts shaped political decisions and realities and how, in turn, the challenges of reality influenced political ideas. In addition to providing an outline of the political history of particular states, this course aims at developing a comparative perspective, determining similarities and differences between various political projects, their successes and failures in achieving their goals. Although the main focus will be on traditional politics, attention will also be paid to how politics were shaped by cultural and social factors and developments. Lectures will provide a survey of the most important political events and concepts, whereas in seminars we will discuss key primary sources and analyze historiographical controversies and debates.

Learning Objectives

to introduce students to the political history of twentieth-century Europe and the world
to gain knowledge about important political events, systems and politicians
to familiarize students with key historiographical debates about twentieth-century history
to develop skills in close reading, critical evaluation and analysis of political documents and relevant secondary literature
to enable students to explore the topic of twentieth-century political history further and to relate it to their own field of research interests
to enhance students’ foreign language skills and apply them to individual research and presentations

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students should be familiar with several important political systems and various countries
students should be able to identify and explain key events and tendencies in twentieth-century international history
Students’ ability to discuss and evaluate historical problems in oral discussions and well as in writing should be enhanced.

Course Contents

Politics and Society: World War I and the Interwar Period
World War II, the Cold War and the Reshaping of Europe in the Late 1980s

Assessment Elements

class discussions
map identification quiz
book review
exam
class discussions
map identification quiz
book review
exam

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 2nd module
0.25 * class discussions + 0.4 * exam + 0.05 * map identification quiz + 0.3 * book review

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Alaranta, T. (2008). Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Six-Day Speech of 1927: Defining the Official Historical View of the Foundation of the Turkish Republic. Turkish Studies, 9(1), 115–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683840701814042
Axworthy, M. (2013). Revolutionary Iran : A History of the Islamic Republic. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=612463
Gibney, J. (2017). A Short History of Ireland, 1500-2000. New Haven: Yale University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1673033
Kershaw, I. (2015). The Nazi Dictatorship : Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation (Vol. Bloomsbury Revelations edition). London: Bloomsbury Academic. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1717406
Paxton, R. O. (1998). The five stages of fascism. Journal of Modern History, 70(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1086/235001
Pinder, J., & Usherwood, S. (2013). The European Union: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.oxp.obooks.9780199681693
Sarantakes, N. E., & Westad, O. A. (2019). The Cold War: A World History. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A214A659
Shindler, C. (DE-588)1089871724, (DE-627)853667837, (DE-576)167955535, aut. (2013). A history of modern Israel Colin Shindler.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Всеобщая история. Т.5: От Нового времени к современности, Васильев, Л. С., 2013

Bachelor’s Programme 'History'

Political Projects in the XX Сentury