All programmes > Course: Contemporary History

Contemporary History (B-KUL-F0LB0A)

This is a translated version. Original version in Dutch.
6.0 ECTS Dutch 39.0 Second termSecond term Basic
Kohlrausch Martin
POC Geschiedenis

Aims

This course looks at the contemporary history of the European Continent in its global context. It starts with the Second World War, asking in how far war and holocaust define European societies until today. The period from the 1950s to the present time will be dealt with via a problem-based focus, highlighting also economic and social phenomena – such as changing forms of mobility, environmentalism or more political problems such as terrorism. The course will address the Cold War, the economic boom of the 1950s and 60s as well as the 1968 revolution, European Integration and the transformation of Eastern Europe after 1989. While the focus is on Europe, the relevant questions are dealt with, wherever possible, in a global perspective. While the political narrative is in the centre, social, economic and cultural topics also play a role. Exemplary cases will help to structure the material, to approach the complex history after the Second World War and to finally come to a better understanding of today's political agenda.

Course material

Text book

Is also included in other courses

Activities

6.0 ects. Contemporary History (B-KUL-F0LB0a)

6.0 ECTS Dutch 39.0 Second termSecond term
Kohlrausch Martin
POC Geschiedenis

Content

This course looks at the contemporary history of the European Continent in its global context. It starts with the Second World War, asking in how far war and holocaust define European societies until today. The period from the 1950s to the present time will be dealt with via a problem-based focus, highlighting also economic and social phenomena – such as changing forms of mobility, environmentalism or more political problems such as terrorism. The course will address the Cold War, the economic boom of the 1950s and 60s as well as the 1968 revolution, European Integration and the transformation of Eastern Europe after 1989. While the focus is on Europe, the relevant questions are dealt with, wherever possible, in a global perspective. While the political narrative is in the centre, social, economic and cultural topics also play a role. Exemplary cases will help to structure the material, to approach the complex history after the Second World War and to finally come to a better understanding of today's political agenda.

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of Contemporary History, i.e. the period from 1940 on, with a focus on Europe. The course will reflect in how far Contemporary History asks for specific approaches of the historian, due to the closeness to our own time. The course will combine the general narrative of European history with the focus on specifically relevant cases. Thus students should be enabled to get a better understanding of complex historical problems such as European integration, politics of memory, environmentalism or migration.

Course material

Tom Buchanan, Europe's Troubled peace. 1945 to the Present, Malden 2012.
- Tony Judt, Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945. London 2005.
- Mark Mazower, Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century, London 1998.
- James Sheehan, Where have all the soldiers gone? The transformation of modern Europe, Boston 2008.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Contemporary History (B-KUL-F2LB0a)

Mode of evaluation : Oral with written preparation
Category : final examination during examination period
Type of evaluation : Closed book