At the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945, Europe was reduced to rubble. This course examines the troubled history of attempts to re-establish prosperity and democracy in the postwar period. In Eastern Europe, Communist dictatorships claimed to provide a superior political and economic system. In Western Europe, the strengthening of democracy often took a back seat to the demands of the Cold War, the legacies of totalitarianism, the reluctance to decolonise and the prioritisation of economic growth. Protest and dissent - from students, feminists and terrorists – marked both East and West. This course examines the origins and contradictions of contemporary European politics and society in order better to understand the trials and tribulations of Europe in the early 21st century.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the history of Europe since 1945;
- critically evaluate key interpretations of late 20th-century Europe’s social, cultural and political history;
- analyse and integrate primary and secondary sources into written work; and
- demonstrate the significance of late 20th-century Europe for today's world.
Indicative Assessment
- 1,000 word document exercise (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- 2,500 word research essay (35) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final exam, 3 hours (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Lecture Responses (5 x 200 words) (10) [LO 1,2,4]
- Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Key readings will be supplied through Wattle.Preliminary Reading
Victoria De Grazia, “A Model Mrs. Consumer,” in Irresistible Empire (2005), 376-458.Emanuela Scarpellini, “Shopping American-Style: The Arrival of the Supermarket in Postwar Italy,” Enterprise & Society 5 (2004): 652-68.
Kristen Ross, “Hygiene and Modernization,” in Fast Cars, Clean Bodies: Decolonization and the Reordering of French Culture (1995), 71-122.
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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