Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis For most of the period since World War Two, Europe has been divided into East and West. This subject asks how far this division conceals underlying economic, political, social and cultural trends common to all of Europe. It begins with reactions to war, to the experience of occupation, and to the Holocaust, and looks at the reconstruction of Europe and the beginnings of the Cold War. Later topics include the political and economic structures of capitalist and communist Europe, the experience of growing up in postwar Europe, East and West, the creation of the European Communities, the effects of destalinisation, and the rise of popular protest movements such as the student and feminist movements. The subject will conclude with an examination of the causes of the collapse of communism and the effects of this for contemporary Europe. Students intending to major in Jewish studies will be able to choose an essay topic in this area.
Assessment Short exercise (500 words): 5% + Two essays (1500 words): 65% + Test (1 hour): 20% + Class preparation: 10%