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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2019/2020

Political and Economic History

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Area of studies: Public Policy and Social Sciences
When: 1 year, 1 module
Mode of studies: distance learning
Language: English
ECTS credits: 5
Contact hours: 56

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course covers the modern period of global history, focusing on the rise of European powers and emergence of colonial empires. It looks at the evolution and development of Western political and economic institutions, changes of cultural landscape and complex interactions between the Western and non-Western civilizations, as well as international relations in Europe since the beginning of Reformation till outbreak of WWI.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To understand the economic and social development European states in the inter-war period (1920-1930);
  • Analyze the reasons and consequences of the Great Depression;
  • Have a deep and comprehensive outlook of the ideological context of the social and political development of European and non-European societies (rise of Fascism and Militarism, spread of Communist ideas);
  • To examine the preconditions and reasons of the WWII and policies of the Great Powers, which led to destruction of the post-WWI international order.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Know the reasons for the rise and fall of Empires;
  • Know the characteristic features of Reformation;
  • Be able to determine the influence of the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution on the political life of England;
  • Know the characteristic features of international relations in Europe in 1453-1648;
  • Be able to determine the role of the Westphalian Peace in international relations;
  • Be able to characterize international relations in Europe in the 18th century;
  • Be able to determine the role of the French Revolution in the transformation of international relations in Europe;
  • Know the main directions of reforms in Great Britain in the first half of the 19th century;
  • Be able to determine the impact of reforms on the political development of Great Britain in the first half of the 19th century;
  • Know the causes and consequences of revolutionary movements in European countries in the middle of the XIX century;
  • Know international political consequences of the Franco-Prussian War;
  • Know the causes and consequences of the Civil War in the United States;
  • Be able to characterise the effects of the Opium War on China's independence;
  • Know the characteristic features of international relations in Europe before WWI;
  • Know the consequences of national liberation movements in the Balkans for international relations before WWI;
  • Know the reasons for the Russian Revolution in 1917.
  • Know the influence of the Russian Revolution in 1917 on WWI;
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Age of Discovery
    Seminar topic: Age of Empires. Rise of Ottoman Empire and the Turkish threat
  • Reformation, Monarchy and Catholicism
    Seminar topic: Reformation and early Modern history
  • English Civil War and Glorious Revolution
    Seminar topic: The English Civil War of the XVII century
  • International relations in Europe (1453-1648)
    Seminar topic: The Thirty Years’ War and the Peace of Westphalia
  • Europe in XVIII century
    Seminar topic: War and peace in the XVIII century: the politics of the balance of power in action
  • The French Revolution: preconditions and consequences
    Seminar topic: The French Revolution
  • Reforms and revolutions in XIX century
    Seminar topic: Reforms and political development of Great Britain in the first half of the XIX century
  • Empires and nationalism in XIX century
    Seminar topic: «The Spring of Nations» of 1848
  • From Crimean War to Unification of Germany: decline of the Vienna order
    Seminar topic: The Franco-Prussian War and Unification of Germany: international political consequences
  • Territorial expansion and the Civil War in the United States
    Seminar topic: Preconditions and the beginning of the Civil War
  • Non-Western World: colonization and resistance of Asia
    Seminar topic: The Opium War: China's loss of independence
  • World before the WWI: major contradictions and creation of military blocs
    Seminar topic: European diplomacy before World War I
  • World before the WWI: internal nationalism
    Seminar topic: The national issue in the Balkans. The Balkan Wars
  • Russian revolution: preconditions and consequences
    Seminar topic: From February to October: the development of the Russian Revolution in 1917
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Seminar activity
  • non-blocking Quizzes
  • non-blocking Test
  • non-blocking Final Exam
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (1 module)
    0.25 * Final Exam + 0.25 * Quizzes + 0.25 * Seminar activity + 0.25 * Test
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Kissinger, H. (2012). Diplomacy. London: Simon & Schuster UK. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1992748
  • Weber, M. (1950). The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C24FAF61
  • Weber, M., & Kalberg, S. (2013). The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Hoboken: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=606954

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • KADERCAN, B. (2012). Military Competition and the Emergence of Nationalism: Putting the Logic of Political Survival into Historical Context. International Studies Review, 14(3), 401–428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2486.2012.01135.x