B030591 - THE TRANSFORMATION OF EUROPE IN THE LONG 20TH CENTURY

English

The course analyses the European unification process in the twentieth century and its wider origins, focusing in particular on the interconnections between the integration process, the context of the world wars and the cold war, and the formation the Atlantic system after 1945. It also examines the progress as well as the limits of the European integration process since the end of the cold war and the challenges it confronts in the 21st century.

1) D. Dinan, Europe Recast. A History of European Union (Basingstoke, 2014).

For students attending the course: 2) documents and book chapters listed in the syllabus.

For students who cannot attend the course: 3) A. Landuyt (ed.), European Integration between History and New Challenges (Bologna, 2014).

(a) Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the history of European unification;

in-depth understanding of the wider historical and global context of European integration;

analysis of the driving forces, impediments and challenges of international and supranational cooperation in Europe;

analysis of the changing relationship between the EU and its member states.

(b) Skills: focus on familiarising students with:
- the critical analysis of sources and secondary literature;

- analysis of the changing role of EU institutions in making policy and legislation,
- to utilise knowledge about the EU history in discussions pertaining to EU institutions, policy areas and policy-formation,
- the critical assessment of the implications of the EU as a supranational political system,
- to assess critically the reliability and validity of public information about EU history and developments.

(c) Abilities: By completing the course students will be able to interpret EU historical developments in a personal and critical way, based on due knowledge of documents and scientific literature.

Students interested in taking this course must have completed a previous MA-level course in international history;

participants also must have advanced reading, oral and writing skills in English

Seminars and introductory lectures. Students who attend the course will receive reading recommendations and will be asked to give oral presentations and write final papers on topics agreed with the instructor.

For attending students: 1) final paper (12 pages), written in English, on a topic coordinated with the instructor; 2) a presentation based on the readings for a particular meeting.

For non-attending students: final paper (25 pages), written in English, on a topic coordinated with the instructor.

The course offers a critical interpretation of the history of the European integration process.

The seminars focus on the main developments and challenges of European integration since 1945 and its wider origins.
Students who attend the seminar will receive further specific reading recommendations.