EUM5030

Modern Europe: a regional study

Proposed to be offered next in 2000

Geoff Spenceley

8 points -3 hours per week -Clayton

Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the broad economic, political and social contexts in which European enterprise has developed in recent times. They should be able to research and communicate their findings in a seminar paper, an essay or business report.

Synopsis This subject will be useful to those who seek to understand the broad economic and social contexts in which enterprise has developed in recent times. It will seek to analyse the redistribution of economic power in Europe from the depression of the 1930s to modern times. Topics covered include the economic impact of depression and war; postwar reconstruction and economic development; the development of consensual capitalism; the movement towards West European integration and its effects on the West European economies; the comparative growth rates of the East and West European economies; society and welfare; differences in economic theory and organisation (Western and Eastern Europe); changing patterns of trade and investment; technological and scientific development (emphasising the technological retardation of eastern Europe); the development of monopolistic industrial structures in the West, and state corporations in the East; the changing role of government and trade unions; and changes in the European balance of economic power.

Assessment Short paper to be presented to the class (3000 words): 40% -Long paper either in the form of an essay or report (3000 words): 60%

Prescribed texts

Aldcroft D The European economy (1914-70) 1978
Cipolla C (ed.) The Fontana economic history of Europe: Contemporary economies 1976
Hosking G A history of the Soviet Union 1985
Lane P Europe since 1945: An introduction 1985
Morris L Eastern Europe since 1945 1984
Urwin D Western Europe since 1945: A short political history 1981
Westoby A The evolution of communism 1989

Back to the 1999 Arts Handbook