Module: Topics in European History

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Topics in European History
Module Code	HIS1038 (ITS: HY333)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

The module explores various aspects of what it meant to live in Communist Eastern Europe from the establishment of the Soviet Union until the disintegration of the Soviet bloc. The topics to be discussed include leisure, popular culture, sexuality, family and gender relations, consumption. Special attention will be given to the experiences of the young generation under communism, such as youth culture, counterculture and deviance.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify main approaches and concepts in nationalism studies and relate theories of nationalism to the discussion of specific historical cases.
2. Evaluate critically contested interpretations of historical cases of nationalism and its manifestations.
3. Identify and locate primary source material in relevant digital depositories and offline collections
4. Engage critically with primary and secondary sources
5. Identify research questions and perform independent historical research. Demonstrate an ability to research and write an undergraduate research thesis
6. Communicate their ideas clearly and convincingly in written and oral form

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	44	One Lecture and One Seminar per week
Independent Study	206	Assigned readings, independent research, and preparation of written assignments and presentation
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20540	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Roman Birke	Module Teacher	Beatrice Scutaru

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Annotated bibliography of secondary sources on the chosen research theme	10%	Week 4
Assignment	Research proposal (ca. 700-1000 words) to include general theme description, research question(s) and overview of sources	20%	Week 8
Research Paper	Research paper of 5,000 words on an individually identified topic based on independent primary research	60%	As required
Participation	Participation in class discussions, a peer-review exercise, and a learning reflection activity.	10%	As required

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

Week 1-2
Introduction: Main concepts and theories in nationalism studies

Week 3-8
Thematic aspects in the study of nationalism and case studies on nationalism in modern Europe

Week 9
Presentations of research projects. Thesis work in-progress

Week 10-12
Project work and individual consultations on dissertation projects

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Relevant articles, book chapters, and primary source documents as well as a comprehensive reading list will be made available on the module's Loop site.,