European History 1800-present

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_GABAGES124

Course Objective

The course European History 1800-Present aims to
- develop and deepen the knowledge of the history of Europe in a global context in the modern and contemporary era;
- Familiarize students with important concepts, theories, methods and sources that are used within the broader fields of global political history;
- Inform students about the 'history behind' contemporary societal and politicalissues and stimulate them to participate in debates about perspectiveon and developments behind such challenges.

Course Content

This course offers an overview of the history of Europe since 1800 to the 21st century from an international and comparative perspective. Events, periods, concepts, developments and persons that played an important role within that history will be critically discussed during a series of lectures and seminars. Topics include: the revolutions of 1848 throughout Europe and its resonances in the wider imperial world; European colonialism, World War Im World War II and the ensuing Cold War, state-building and the emergence of supra-national organizations including the UN and EU. During the course connections will be made to Dutch history as part of a broader European history. Students will also learn about debates among historians how to understand certain developments and will be introduced to concepts, theories, methods and sources from the field of global political history.

Teaching Methods

Weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures will highlight themes and concepts. Seminars will be the place to discuss the readings in more detail. Students will give presentations and be given an active role to moderate discussions in the seminars. Alle lectures will be in English, the seminars for the Dutch language Geschiedenis track, will be in Dutch.

Method of Assessment

Class Attendance and Participation (5%), Presentations (25%), Final Exam (70 %).

Literature

J. Merriman, A history of Modern Europe (London/London 2019) A. Best et al (eds.), International History of the Twentieth Century and beyond (London/New York 2015)

Target Audience

BA1 students Geschiedenis and BA1 students History and International Studies; international exchange students. International exchange students who want to partake should contact the course coordinator Wim Manuhutu ([email protected])

Additional Information

Students are expected to be active participants in the seminars, asking questions and giving answers to questions by lecturers and fellow students.

Recommended background knowledge

A basic understanding of modern history will be necessary to complete the course successfully.

Explanation Canvas

Canvas will be the learning environment for this course. All communication and information will be on Canvas.