Demanding The Impossible: European Societies In The 1960S HIST4005

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 60
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

This special subject examines the origins, nature and lasting impacts of the radical social, cultural and political changes in West and East European societies during the 'long 1960s'.

Timetable

Thursdays from 2pm - 5pm

Requirements of Entry

Successful completion of junior honours

Assessment

Two essays, each 1500-200 words in length; two seminars papers and 2 x 2hourly examinations in the April/May diet

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The aims common to all the Department's Honours modules are as follows:
1. to develop the intellectual interests and analytical skills acquired by students during their first two years;
2. To offer the opportunity to study previously unfamiliar methodological approaches, chronological periods and geographical areas by offering a wide choice of options;
3. To offer the opportunity to develop skills in historical computing, as well as basic IT awareness;
4. To introduce complex historical debates and interpretations, to develop skill in interpreting primary sources where appropriate, and to inform the discussion with new ideas derived from lecturers' current research;
5. To encourage the development of transferable skills by fostering individual initiative, personal choice, group discussion and, where appropriate, a problem-solving teamwork.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this special subject, students should be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the origins and nature of the socio-economic, cultural and political changes in Europe in the long 1960s.
2. familiarity with the specific conditions in a number of key countries and the ability to meaningfully compare different cases across Eastern and Western Europe.
3. an understanding of the interpretations on the lasting legacy of the 1960s in European culture.
4. the ability to critically discuss the main historiographic debates on the origins and meaning of the 1960s.
5. the critical discussion and contextualisation of primary sources; the ability to distinguish between different types of sources, and demonstrate the ability to read texts on different levels.
6. the ability to present a piece of primary and secondary source based research in the form of a seminar presentation and discussion, or an essay.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.