Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Political History of Europe
Course Code
PZK_068
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
3.00
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 European political history course is to analyze and understand the problems and processes of European political history, which would simultaneously give an opportunity to understand the peculiarities and complications of the internal and mutual relations of European countries today. Special attention is paid to the political-military processes of the 20th century in Europe, which resulted in the formation and existence of the current state system. The material to be learned is organized chronologically, however, considering the amount of information contained in the topics under consideration, the main emphasis will be placed on achieving an understanding of the basic principles of historical development by comparing the processes taking place in different countries and at different times.
Preliminary Knowledge
General understanding of historical and political processes.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students acquire knowledge of European most important political developments and identify political impact on contemporary Europe.
Skills
1.Students facilitate their opinion formulation and expression as well as digital skills.
Competences
1.Students are able to critically assess important trends, phenomena and event, identify causalities and make linkage with with contemporary political processes.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Requirements include seminar preparation, and elaboration of opinion pieces and individual project.
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Quality and ability for analytical assessment, critical thinking and own opinion.
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction. European concepts: geography and politics. Origins of European civilization: legacies of Ancient Greece and Rome
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Christianity in European history. Crusades. Religious interaction
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Renaissance. Reformation and contrreformation in Europe. Origins of nation-states and modern international system
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Great discoveries. European empires. Absolute monarchies
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Enlightment and French Revolution. Napoleonic Wars and Vienna Congress
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Europa at the turn of centuries. Industrial revolution. Transformation of political ideologies. International conflicts
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
German realpolitik. New imperialism. Origins of the First World War
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
First World War and transformation of European political map. Creation of new countries
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Russian revolution and civil war. Implications for European developments
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political processes in Europe in the twenties and thirties. Authoritarianism. Origins of the Second World War
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Second World War outcome and Iron Curtain. Cold War
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Other
|
2
|
Topics
|
Post Cold War Europe. Historical legacies in contemporary European politics and foreign policy
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 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
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
6.
Ralfs, Filips Lī. Roberts Lerners, et al. Pasaules civilizācijas, to vēsture un kultūra. Rīga: RaKa, 1999
7.
Schirer, 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
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