Course Catalogue

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Although remembered mainly as an interlude between the First and Second World Wars, inter-war Europe saw the birth of core ideas that were to shape the modern world. This course looks at a number of key themes, including the rise of modern design via the Bauhaus movement, the first attempt at 'global government' (The League of Nations), the emergence of the modern world's first secular, modernising Muslim state (Kemalist Turkey), and the most radical political alternatives to free market liberal capitalism (Communism and Fascism) that emerged in Italy, Spain, the Soviet Union, Romania and Germany during this period.

12x1h lectures and 8x1hr seminars over 10 weeks. This is one of the Honours options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into History, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

None.

None.

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ 2-hour exam 60%  

■ 2500-word essay 25% 

■ 10 min seminar presentation 10% 

■ Seminar contribution 5% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Exam/Essay, but flexible deadlines/extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ A recorded presentation as alternative to presentation.

■ Written response to seminar material in advance or after seminar as alternative to seminar contribution.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Analyse the significance of the core political and philosophical ideas of radical movements in Europe during a period of tremendous national and global change.

■ Consider the utility of studying non-German variants of fascist thought in comparative perspective.

■ Assess competing explanations for the breakdown of the European order in the interwar period in essays and seminars

■ Better understand differing political and cultural contexts and the interstices and personal and political connections between art, feminism, fascism, and communism

■ Analyse and assess the role of the League of Nations

■ Develop skills in source analysis and historical evaluation through seminar discussion and written work.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ analyse and explain the linkages between philosophical ideas and politics in the interwar period.

■ demonstrate in written and oral work an understanding of key conceptual debates in the literature.

■ articulate the relevance of the period and issues covered to later historical developments