Module: The Making of Contemporary Europe

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	The Making of Contemporary Europe
Module Code	HIS1000 (ITS: LC208)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	SALIS
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the 20th-century historical foundations of the present political and cultural situation in Europe and in Ireland. Major economic, political, ideological and cultural phenomena such as World Wars 1 and 2, totalitarianism, European intergration, the collapse of communism and postmodernism will be surveyed chronologically. Students will study a selection of textual and visual documents illustrating these movements.

Learning Outcomes

1. recognise the 20th century roots of current political and cultural developments in Europe and in Ireland.
2. describe the historical circumstances that have shaped Europe in the 20th century
3. assess critically current political and cultural developments in Europe
4. Have a good understanding of the foundations of the European project
5. Demonstrate awareness of one's communication abilities, including areas for development.
6. Communicate effectively in written or other non-oral formats, adapting to the audience profile as required.
7. Communicate effectively in oral formats, adapting to audience profile as required.
8. Demonstrate awareness of the strengths and areas for development that one brings to a team.
9. Recognize and value the strengths that each individual brings to a team.
10. Fulfil one's task responsibilities within a team.
11. Effectively engage with challenges that may emerge within a team.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures will cover the main events of European history, looking at their representation in text, films and other supports
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10314	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Tamara Kolaric	Module Teacher	Agnes Maillot, Lynn Walsh

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Syllabus
The lectures will survey in chronological order ideological, political and cultural developments in Europe from 1900 to the present. A variety of texts and media will be presented and discussed in order to illustrate the period and theme under scrutiny and deepen the insights gained. Excerpts will be chosen from written texts, audio texts and film, ranging from philosophical essays, political speeches, as well as documentary and feature films.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

N. Davies: 1996, Europe, A History, OUP, Oxford,
T Judt: 2005, Postwar - A History of Europe since 1945, Penguin, London,
H James: 2003, Europe Reborn, A History, 1914 â€“2000, Pearson, Harlow,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None