Europe's Long Twentieth Century

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to modern European history since 1900. Following the world wars, Europe’s reconstruction was based on a principle of peace through prosperity and the ideal of an ‘ever closer union.’ In recent years, however, the combined economic and migrant crises, Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have put this postwar consensus to a test. Analyzing a wide array of primary materials, the seminar familiarizes students with key problems of modern European history. Individual sessions examine fin-de-siècle culture and modernity; imperialism and colonialism; the causes and effects of the world wars; the Holocaust; the Global Cold War; the revolution of 1989 in Eastern Europe; and whether a distinctive European identity has developed since the post-war period that can withstand the entangled crises of the early twenty-first century. Prerequisites: None. Previous knowledge or experience is welcome but not required Fulfillment: Humanities Introductory course.