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Crisis Continent: Europe's 20th Century (HIST20078)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: volker.prott@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
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This subject provides an introduction to the political history of Europe’s turbulent twentieth century. It focuses on major moments of crisis that shaped the ‘age of extremes’, in the words of Eric Hobsbawm. Beginning with the First World War and ending with the global and domestic challenges that Europe faces today, the subject investigates how Europeans experienced and sought to manage wars, revolutions, and major economic shocks throughout the century. Taking the larger themes of crisis and integration as a basis, we will study key events and developments such as the two world wars, the great depression, the division of Europe during the Cold War, and the 1989 revolutions. We will also explore the project of European integration in terms of the aspirations to build a new kind of supranational entity and the challenges that the ideal of a unified Europe has faced over the past century. The subject thus addresses, from a historical perspective, the pressing current issue as to whether Europe is a continent plagued by crises that will ultimately cause its breakdown—or whether Europeans will be able to build a unified polity that meets the global challenges of the twenty-first century.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- demonstrate knowledge of key developments of twentieth-century European history;
- critically engage with historiographical debates, both in written form and in group discussions;
- develop original historical arguments based on primary and secondary sources;
- contribute to discussions on present-day Europe from a historical perspective;
- reflect on broader historical concepts such as ‘crisis’ and ‘integration’ and apply them to specific historical settings.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to
- work cooperatively in small groups and engage in full-class debate;
- apply methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills;
- conduct independent research based on primary and secondary sources;
- work in an interdisciplinary environment.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A group project, resulting in a 10-minute group presentation and one poster, equivalent to 500 words, due in week 7 or week 8 (15%)
- A 1000 word poster annotation, due in week 8 or week 9 (20%)
- A 500 word review of a poster prepared by another group, due in week 8 or week 9 (15%)
- A 2000 word essay or research memo, due in the end of semester examination period (50%)
Hurdle requirement:Students must attend a minimum of 75% of seminars in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Volker Prott Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 30 hours – 12 x 2 hour seminars, 12 x 0.5 hour online content Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Email: volker.prott@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - History Major History Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - History - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 27 April 2024