Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2009 - 2010

Module Title	The Making of Contemporary Europe
Module Code	LC208
School	SALIS
Online Module Resources
Level	2	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

 To introduce students to the 20th-century historical foundations of the present political and cultural situation in Europe To present to the students the complex web of interrelations between economic, political, ideological and cultural dimensions that weave together to bring about historical change To familiarise the students with the European influences on Irish consciousness.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to Identify the historical roots of certain current political and cultural developments in Europe and in Ireland. Evaluate the benefit of current political and cultural developments in Europe. Understand the historical circumstances that have shaped the European project of closer cooperation and integration. Understand the complex interplay in European history between distinct regional and national and shared European cultural and political values. Understand the historical reasons for the necessity of developing a sensitivity to multi-lingual diversity in Europe.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	12
Tutorials
Laboratories
Seminars	12
Independent Learning Time	51

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Indicative Syllabus:The module will be organised in two complementary parts: lecture and parallel seminar.The lecture will survey in chronological order ideological, political and cultural developments in Europe from 1900 to the present. It will not attempt to offer comprehensive and continuous coverage, but will offer insights into the most important events and movements, ideas and ideologies that shaped the historical experience of Europeans in the 20th century and which provide the backdrop to the present political and cultural constellations in Europe. The topics discussed will be chosen from among the following with emphasis on the post WWII period: World War I and its aftermath: the demise of the old order Politics Pan-European Movement: the idealistic new beginnings Ideology/Culture The Russian Revolution: utopia materialised Ideology The Roaring Twenties: European High Modernism Culture Totalitarianism: Fascism and Soviet Socialism: the backlash Ideology World War II and its aftermath: the Cold War and the division of Europe Politics Emergence of Consumer Culture: the Capitalist response to Socialism Culture (Western) European Integration: the gradual realisation of the ideal Politics Emergence of Youth Culture/1968ff: the Student Rebellion and the Regeneration of Western European politics: Détente, Grass roots Democracy, Feminism, Environmentalism/Sustainability, Politics of Remembrance Ideology/Culture 1989ff: Fall of the Berlin Wall, end of the Cold War, Decline of the Soviet Empire, Civil War in the Balkans Politics Impact of Economic and Cultural Globalisation: Postmodernism CultureThe lecture will be combined with a parallel seminar in which a variety of texts and media will be employed and discussed in order to illustrate the period and theme under scrutiny in the lecture and deepen the insights gained there. Excerpts will be chosen from written texts, audio texts and film, ranging from philosophical essays, political speeches, poetry and drama as well as documentary and feature films.

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Indicative Reading List

H. Arendt (1973) The Origins of Totalitarianism, New York.N. Davies (1996) Europe, A History, Oxford.M. Fulbrook, (ed.) (1993) National Histories and European History, London.A. Milward (1992) The Reconstruction of Western Europe, 1945-1951, London.P. Rietbergen (1998) Europe, A Cultural History, London. J. Story (1993) The New Europe: Politics, Government and Economy since 1945, Oxford.D.Urwin (1989) Western Europe since 1945: A Political History, (4th Ed.), London.

Programme or List of Programmes

ALIS

BA in Applied Language and Intercultural

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

CCS

BA in Contemporary Culture and Society

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO