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Crisis Continent: Europe's 20th Century (HIST20078)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
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: 11 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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A group project, resulting in a 10-minute group presentation and one poster, due in week 7 or week 8
| From Week 7 to Week 8 | 15% |
A poster annotation, due in week 8 or week 9
| From Week 8 to Week 9 | 20% |
A review of a poster prepared by another group, due in week 8 or week 9
| From Week 8 to Week 9 | 15% |
An essay or research memo
| During the 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. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
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: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major History - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024