HS 215 - History of Europe: Building Contemporary Europe

Is the project of European integration starting to unravel? Is destabilizing nationalist antagonism on the rise across Europe? Are authoritarian capitalist regimes (vide Russia and China) poised for a comeback? Is Russia part of Europe? Will the current wave of social protest lead to civil wars or revolutions? What does “socialism” really mean and why is it so frightening to some Americans? How does war affect society, politics and national memory? Why are Europeans less willing to use military force than Americans? Is Europe´s geopolitical profile waning? Is the current war on “terror” a novel phenomenon? These are some of the questions debated here and now which this course will illuminate from a historical perspective.

In this course, students will learn how many common traits and similar developments have historically differentiated the European nations from surrounding ones and have given them a distinct character. The idea is to blend the histories of the European nations into a single narrative, whilst retaining an eye on Europe´s immense internal diversity and great national variations. Against the background of the most significant political, socio-economic and cultural trends in European history from the French Revolution to the present day, the course will give prominence to describing and explaining the forces, tensions and dilemmas that have shaped contemporary Europe. Europe is the home of freedom, democracy and national self-determination, but at the same time Europe is also the birthplace of imperialism, racism, fascism and communism. In addition, the course will examine how the idea of ´Europe´ has shifted over the last two centuries, as well as discuss questions of collective memory and their role in the formation of a distinctive European identity.