Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Political History of Europe
Course Code
SZF_004
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
4.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Andris Sprūds
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the course Political History of Europe is to analyse and understand the problems and processes of European political history, which at the same time would also make it possible to understand the domestic specificities and complexities of European countries and foreign relations between European countries today. Particular attention is paid to the political and military processes of the 20th century in Europe, which led to the creation and existence of the current system of states. The material to be learnt is arranged chronologically, however, taking into account the scope of the information contained in the topic in question, the main focus will be on achieving understanding of the basic principles of historical development by comparing processes in different countries and at different times.
Preliminary Knowledge
General understanding of historical and political processes.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Within the course, students should be acquainted with key developments in the history of European countries, which would enable them to gain knowledge of the political history of Europe and its impact on modern times.
Skills
1.Students strengthen their skills in opinion formulation, expression and reasoning, and promote their digital skills.
Competences
1.At the end of the course, students will be able to critically assess historical trends, phenomena and events, identify causalities and build links to modern political processes.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Independent work includes preparation for seminars and drafting of opinion pieces and reports.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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Quality and analyticity, critical thinking and expressing an opinion. Independent work (50%) and exam (50%).
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
|
Topics
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Introduction. Concepts of Europe: geography and politics. Foundations of European civilisation: Heritage of Ancient Greece and Rome
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Introduction. Concepts of Europe: geography and politics. Foundations of European civilisation: Heritage of Ancient Greece and Rome
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Christianity in the history of Europe. Crusades. Interactions with other religions
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
|
Renaissance. Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Europe. Origins of national countries and modern international system
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
|
2
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Topics
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Renaissance. Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Europe. Origins of national countries and modern international system
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Great Discoveries. Foundation of European empires in Europe. Absolute monarchies
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
|
2
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Topics
|
Great Discoveries. Foundation of European empires in Europe. Absolute monarchies
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
|
2
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Topics
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Ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution of 1789. Napoleonic Wars and Congress of Vienna
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution of 1789. Napoleonic Wars and Congress of Vienna
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Europe in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century: industrial revolution and change of political ideologies. International conflicts
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Europe in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century: industrial revolution and change of political ideologies. International conflicts
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
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Realpolitik of Germany. New Imperialism. Outbreak of World War I
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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World War I and changes on the European political map. Establishment of new national states
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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World War I and changes on the European political map. Establishment of new national states
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Russian Revolution and civil war. Impact in Europe
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Other
|
2
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Topics
|
Russian Revolution and civil war. Impact in Europe
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political processes in Europe in 20s and 30s. Authoritarianism. Outbreak of World War II
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Results of World War II and the fall of the Iron Curtain. Cold War
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Other
|
2
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Topics
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Post Cold War Europe. Historical heritage in modern European policy and foreign policy
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
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Post Cold War Europe. Historical heritage in modern European policy and foreign policy
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Brendon, Piers. The Dark Valley: A Panorama of the 1930s. Vintage Books, 2002
2.
Deiviss, Normans. Eiropas vēsture. Rīga: Jumava, 2009 (latviešu plūsmai)
3.
Hobsbawm, Eric. The Age of Extremes. Vintage books, 1996
4.
King, Margaret L. Western Civilization: A Social and Cultural History, 1500 to the Present Prentice Hall PTR. 2002
5.
Kisindžers, Henrijs. Diplomātija. Rīga: Jumava, 2001 (latviešu plūsmai)
6.
Ralfs, Filips Lī. Roberts Lerners, et al. Pasaules civilizācijas, to vēsture un kultūra. Rīga: RaKa, 1999 [4 sēj., 1998-2001] (latviešu plūsmai)
7.
Shirer, William. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1960
Additional Reading
1.
Birzer, Bradley J. “How Did Lewis and Tolkien Defend the Old West?” July 2015, The Imaginative Conservative.
2.
Remarks, Ērihs Marija. Melnais Obelisks. 1956 (latviešu plūsmai)
Other Information Sources
1.
Bew, John. “Real Realpolitik: A History”. Library of Congress, 2014
2.
Triumph of the Will. Directed by Leni Riefenstahl. Berlin: Universum Film AG, 1935
3.
“Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here”. Narrated by professor Jeremy Black, BBC, 2013