HIST 228(S) Europe in the Twentieth Century
This survey course has two goals: to introduce students to the fundamental issues and experiences of the last century of European history, from the eve of
World War One to the present, and to teach students to be historians. Toward that
end, students will be required, in class and in written assignments, to use primary
sources in conjunction with secondary source readings to pose questions and
suggest interpretations about the past. Wars, depression, political changeovers,
urbanization, technological advancements all have a profound impact on the
lives of ordinary people; so, too, ordinary people shape those historical developments. We will focus on learning how to empathize with people from the past
and to understand their experiences on their terms. What was it like to return to
civilian life after fighting in the First World War? What were the experiences of
Europeans between the wars? Why did so many Germans support Hitler and
what was it like for different segments of European society to live through
World War II? In a divided postwar Europe, what hopes and betrayals did Europeans on different sides of the Iron Curtain experience in the realms of social,
economic, and legal justice? How have Europeans since the fall of the Berlin
Wall attempted to confront their pasts? By the end of this course, students will be
familiar with the central themes of the history of twentieth-century Europe and
understand how to analyze historical documents, which students can replicate in
their future research and writing.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, several quizzes, an exam, and two papers.
No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 35). Open to all.
Group B