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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Neville Scarlet
Semester 2: Neville Scarlet
Autumn: Neville Scarlet
Module TeachersNeville Scarlet
Grania Shanahan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat examination
Description

The module explores the twentieth century history of Russia, the United States and Israel. Particular attention is paid to revolutionary Russia 1905-1932, Stalinist Russia and WWII, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and Gorbachev and the collapse of the Soviet Union; to the USA during the New Era, the Great Depression, WWII and the Golden Age of the 1950s and 60s; and to antisemitism in Europe 1900-1939, Jewish emigration to Palestine, the British Mandate and the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948 and its consolidation up to the Camp David Accords.

Learning Outcomes

1. Display a broad knowledge of a range of topics in 20th century history
2. Identify the most relevant ideas and issues in the emergence and development of the Russian Revolution and Stalinism
3. Display a knowledge of WWII and the resultant change in geopolitics
4. Show some independence of thought and objectivity when dealing with issues and problems in modern American history
5. Show some independence of thought and objectivity when dealing with issues and problems in modern Israeli history



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture2No Description
Assignment Completion15Essay [1750-2000 words]
Assignment Completion4Document Analysis
Independent Study4.5No Description
Total Workload: 25.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Revolutionary ideologies

Revolution and counter revolution in Russia 1905-1932

The Stalinist regime

Khrushchev to Gorbachev

The New Era

The Great Depression and WWII

The Golden Age of the 1950s and 60s

Antisemitism and Zionism

The British Mandate in Palestine

The foundations of Israel and the 1948 War

The consolidation of Israel 1948-1978

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Essay1750 - 2000 word essay40%Week 27
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category
Indicative Reading List

  • Sheila Fitzpatrick: 2008, The Russian Revolution, 3rd, OUP,
  • Orlando Figes: 2014, Revolutionary Russia 1891-1991, London,
  • Hugh Brogan: 2001, The Penguin History of the United States of America, 2nd, Penguin,
  • Maldwyn A. Jones: 1995, The Limits of Liberty: American History 1607-1992, 2nd, OUP Oxford,
  • David M. Kennedy: 2001, Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War 1929-1945, OUP USA,
  • Chris Ward: 1993, Stalin's Russia, London,
  • Tony Judt: 2005, Postwar, London,
  • Howard Zinn: 2015, A People's History of the United States, New York,
  • Martin Gilbert: 1999, Israel: A History, London,
  • Anita Shapira: 2014, Israel: A History, London,
  • Wasserstein, Bernard: 2012, On the Eve: The Jews of Europe before WWII, London,
  • David Reynolds: 2000, A Global History since 1945, New York,
Other Resources

64615, Website, 0, Jewish Virtual Library, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org, 64616, In Class/Online, 0, Document Handouts, 64617, In Class/Online, 0, Loop,

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