Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit examines the birth in Europe of the first half of the nineteenth century of the notion of "society" and how it inspired the new political doctrine of liberalism, promoting society's freedom from state power and new scientific aspirations. It looks at how these new goals were formulated in Britain and France and struggled to impose themselves against pre-existing conceptions of political power. How they motivated the cult of individualism but also encountered cultural and social resistance. It thus explores the Romantic Movement, in its ambivalent relationship to the liberal "revolution". Finally, it discusses the appearance of a rival ideology: socialism.

Objectives

On completion of this subject students will have:

1. A familiarity with, and an understanding of, the general features of Europe's cultural and intellectual development during the late eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth centuries, with a special focus upon liberalism and socialism
2. Knowledge of some representative expository texts and of relevant works of literature and the other arts
3. Skills in library use, essay writing, analysis and interpretation of texts, as well as oral presentation and discussion
4. 3rd year students will gain familiarity with different theoretical perspectives on the ideas and processes treated in the subject

Assessment

Essay 1 (1000 words): 20%
Essay 2 (1500 words): 25%
Exam (2 hours): 35%
Oral class presentation: 15%
Tutorial preparation: 5%
Third year students will be expected to demonstrate more developed research, analytical and critical skills than their second year counterparts

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture per week + One 1-hour tutorial per week

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

European and European Union studies