Key Texts in History & International Studies

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_GABAGES128

Course Objective

-Learning about texts of important past thinkers that are relevant for students of History and International Studies. -Being able to critically analyse source-material (key texts). -Developing a scholarly opinion on these key texts in relation with current issues of international relevance.
- Learning the ability to formulate scholarly opinions in discussions and in individual papers that are based on scholarly questions and research.

Course Content

This course helps students of History and International Studies to acquire "academic citizenship": to prepare them to become active participants in public debates in an international context, informed by scholarly knowledge. Students read and reflect on influential texts of political, religious and philosophical thinkers in the past. They are trained to assess these key texts not just as pre-runners of modern culture, but primarily as examples of how thinkers in the past thought about important questions such as 'what is the good society', 'how to maintain peace and social stability at home and abroad' and 'what causes are worth fighting for'. We will discuss their vision by asking and answering various questions. What did the author mean? In what historical circumstances was the text written and for what purpose? And what makes the text relevant and appealing or not, and for what reasons?

Teaching Methods

Lectures and seminars.

Method of Assessment

Two written assignments of 400 words each (30% of your final grade); final paper of 2500 words (70% of your final grade). Additionally, there will be a few formative assignments (completed/not completed).

Literature

Texts will be made available in Canvas.

Target Audience

Students BA1 History and International Studies

Explanation Canvas

Canvas will be used