Transcript title

20th Century European History

Credits

4

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

40

Lecture hours

40

Course Description

Covers the intellectual, political and cultural history of 20th century European history. Interprets society, culture, and writings from Europe and the colonies, analyzing the historical setting and significance of major occurrences in Europe, such as imperialism, fascism, world wars, the Holocaust, Soviet communism, and decolonization. Does not need to be taken in sequence.

Course learning outcomes

1. Interpret the relationship between the past and the present, taking into account twentieth century European social, cultural, political, and religious perspectives.
2. Interpret art and film from Europe's twentieth century.
3. Use evidence from primary and secondary sources to understand and describe events, issues, developments, relationships, and perspectives within Europe and European colonies.
4. Critique, in the context of twentieth century European history, shared assumptions and cultural stereotypes through written and oral discussion.

Content outline

1. Fin-de-siècle in Europe and the empire in Africa
2. The Dreyfus affair and antisemitism
3. World War I, Europeans, and non-Europeans fighting for their nation
4. The interwar period: contending with the war
5. The interwar period: confronting the Russian Revolution
6. The interwar period: the appeal of fascism
7. World War II as seen from the civilians
8. Decolonization
9. The 1960s and '70s: the sexual revolution and immigration to Europe
10. Understanding the 2005 French riots

Required materials

Textbook may be required.

General education/Related instruction lists

• Cultural Literacy
• Arts and Letters