Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU10104 Europe since 1945 |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 33%, EX 67% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: The first aim of the unit is to explore the experience of Eastern and Western Europe since the Second World War and to analyse the features and problems of post-1945 European states. This will including discussion of political structures and culture, economic structures and performance, and the interaction of culture and politics. The second aim of the unit is to help first-year students refine university-level communication skills, including seminar participation, oral presentations and teamwork.
Learning Outcomes: A student who completes the unit successfully will: * be familiar with the main contours of European history since the Second World War including the experience of European states on either side of the Iron Curtain and developments since its collapse in 1989; * have been introduced to some further concepts and techniques of political, economic and cultural analysis and applied them in a contemporary European context; * have been invited to reflect upon the characteristics and issues which have united and divided Europe in the contemporary era; * be able to research chosen issues in European history since 1945 and discuss them effectively in oral presentations and in writing. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit. Content: Europe in the Cold War era; politics and culture in post-war Europe; economic and social change in Western Europe; liberal democratic politics in Europe - elections and party systems; political culture; the rise and fall of European communist states and command economies; economic and political problems in the age of globalisation; postmodernism in European culture. |