The Making of Contemporary Europe
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| INTS2001 | School of International Studies | 2 | 20 | Autumn China |
- Code
- INTS2001
- School
- School of International Studies
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn China
Summary
The module surveys and analyses some of the main political, social, and economic developments in European affairs from the Second World War onwards. These include major international events, such as the Second World War, the Cold War and its aftermath, decolonisation, and the history of European integration. National histories, especially of major states, are also considered.
Please note:
1) Coursework can take the form of an individual essay, report, portfolio or others;it may include more than one element for a maximum of 2,500 words.
2) This module is assessed at the end of Autumn semester. First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
3) In emergency (e.g. epidemics), the unseen exam can be replaced by a second piece of coursework or others forms of assessment.
Preliminary reading list:
There may not be a specific textbook for this module.
Suggested readings include the following e-books and book
Cook, Chris, and J. Stevenson. Longman Handbook of Twentieth Century Europe, Routledge, 2003.
Kershaw, Ian. The Global Age Europe, 1950-2017. Penguin History of Europe. New York, 2018.
Wakeman, Rosemary (ed.). Themes in Modern European History Since 1945, Routledge, 2003.
Judt, T., 2005. Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945. William Heinemann , 2005.
Mazower, Mark. Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century. 1st Vintage Book ed. New York: Vintage, 2000. (Very strong on economic history)
Primary and secondary resources are provided for by the university Library or made available on Moodle during the semester.
Target Students
Students from School of International Studies Available to JYA/Erasmus students.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 9 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework: 2,500-word written assignment
- 50% Exam (2-hour): 1 x 2-hour examination
Educational Aims
The module aims to provide students with a framework of some of the main developments in European affairs since the Second World War, knowledge of the background factors which influenced these developments, and an understanding of the interpretative debates surrounding them, and through these to develop the intellectual and transferable skills outlined below.Learning Outcomes
On the completion of this module, students should be able to:
(a) Knowledge and understanding.
• explain and interpret some of the main underlying forces that shaped European history in the period under discussion and show an understanding of major events in this process;
• evaluate forces of change and continuity within the period.
(b) Intellectual skills.
• think critically and imaginatively about the subject matter;
• identify and address key problems relevant to it;
• analyse historical documents
• be aware of differing scholarly interpretations of the subject matter;
• construct coherent and independent historical arguments of their own.
(c) Professional/practical skills.
• select, sift and synthesise information from a range of secondary sources;
• identify and compare key arguments in those materials;
• demonstrate appropriate footnoting and bibliographical skills;
• use the University intranet to access the library catalogue.
• development of digital capabilities through the identification and/or consultation of suitable academic resources on the internet, such as online historical archives.
(d) Transferable skills.
• manage a large and disparate body of information;
• express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing essays;
• work and learn actively with others; manage and take responsibility for their own learning; respect the views of others;
• use IT to word process their assessed essay.
(e) Professional Competencies:
• Professional communication by delivering assessed or unassessed presentations
• Ability to co-ordinate with others by preparing and delivering group presentations (whether in the seminars or lectures-workshops)
• Reflection by compiling a report to reflect on their research to prepare coursework (if the coursework is a report or portfolio)
• Digital capabilities by researching the internet to find pictures, videos, data and other resources to complete their coursework (e.g. posters or PPT presentations).
Conveners
- Dr Rosaria FRANCO