Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit reflects on European cultural and intellectual life of the twentieth century and its relationship to experiences of violence and war. It examines the world views and artistic practices of European modernisms from the 1890s onward and the intellectual roots and cultural manifestations of left and right totalitarianisms in Europe from the 1930s to the 1980s. It introduces the thought of Nietzsche and Freud and such notions as will, power, the subconscious, revolutionary art, race and the masses. It reflects on Fascist, Nazi and Stalinist culture and on dissent from totalitarianism. Representative texts are studied in the context of developments in the visual arts, film and music.

Objectives

On completion of this subject students should:

1. Have a familiarity with, and an understanding of, significant features of Europe's cultural and intellectual development in the twentieth century.
2. Have an understanding of, and an ability to apply, key terms and concepts relevant to the culture and intellectual life of the period.
3. Be familiar with, and able to discuss, representative texts of the period, both expository and aesthetic.
4. Be able to demonstrate competence in the following skills:
   1. obtaining access to source materials and secondary writings through the library and other resources;
   2. writing (including planning, arguing on the basis of evidence, and documenting);
   3. analysis and interpretation of cultural texts, including the application of appropriate terms and concepts for the discussion of content, form, and cultural and historical context;
   4. oral presentation of information and argument based on guided and independent reading;
   5. discussion of texts and oral presentations;
   6. assimilation of information and opinion from various sources for purposes of forming independent judgments;
   7. team work. In addition, students taking the subject at third-year level should have some knowledge of different schools of thought concerning the ideas and cultural phenomena treated in the subject.

Assessment

Minor Essay(1000 words): 15%
End of semester essay(2000 words): 40%
Class presentation(500 words): 5%
1 x 2 Hour exam(1000 words): 40%

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

International studies

Prohibitions

EUR2090