This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary world. It is organised thematically and explores a selection of key historical ideas that shaped cultures and societies from of social, economic, and political perspective. These include: nationalism, imperialism, Communism, Fascism, racism, eugenics, feminism, Europeanness, and globalisation. By the end of the course, students are expected to be familiarised with the historical debates surrounding each of these concepts. They will also have assimilated the analytical tools to use them in a critical way.
Each subject will be studied over two sessions, themselves divided into three types of activities: a lecture, a film display, and a debate session. Films, whether fictional or documentaries, are used as sources of
historical knowledge. They also constitute the starting point for the debate in the classroom. Lectures and mandatory readings will support the learning process. Debate is thoroughly stimulated as part of aninteractive learning process.
Evaluation:
- Individual participation (15%)
- Précis of a text (15%). Each student chooses a text from the bibliography and writes a structured summary of it (500 words) Deadline: 25 November 2024.
- PowerPoint presentation (30%). Group work . Topic chosen from the course themes. Duration : 25 mins. (15 slides max.) Deadline: 9 December 2024.
- Essay (40%). Topic chosen from the course themes. A critical stance is expected in relation to the subject and bibliography (1,500 words). Deadline: 9 December 2024.
- Teacher: Duncan Simpson