Political History

This introductory course is to familiarize students with selected, most important events, developments and processes, shaping political history of the Western world since the French Revolution of 1789.

This introductory course is to familiarize students with selected, most important events, developments and processes, shaping political history of the Western world since the French Revolution of 1789.

It focuses on two themes:

1. Major ideological, political and miliary confrontations, such as revolutions and wars as well as on their consequences.

2. Shaping of the democratic system and its challenges.

Topics:

1. Outline of pre-1789 European history.

2. Significance and impact of the Enlightenment project and 1789 French Revolution.

3. Main political developments of the 19th century:

- confrontation among powers,

- the growth of nation states,

- gradual development of the “Western political model”, dominated by liberalism and the rise of democratic institutions.

4. WW I and its consequences. Crisis of parliamentary democracy, the advance of authoritarian and totalitarian tendencies.

5. Communist project – its realization and collapse.

6. WW II as a turning moment in world’s history.

7. Cold War. European integration.

8. Into the 21st century – the end of history that never came.

Assessment:

1. Regular attendance - required. Two absences are allowed without consequences. In case of greater number of absences, some additional reading or an extra assignment paper may be required.

2. Active participation in class discussions, based first of all on assigned reading - recommended.

3. Short mid-term exam (in-class essay, 40 minutes) - required.

1. Regular participation in classes (obligatory). Two absences are allowed without consequences. In case of a greater number of absences, an additional assignment (oral or written) may be required.

2. Active participation in class discussions, based first of all on assigned reading (recommended).

3. Midterm in-class exam - written test at the end of November or in early December (obligatory).

4. Final in-class written exam - in the form of a closed and open test during the winter examination session (obligatory).

Grade distribution (approximately):

Attendance and participation in class discussions - 25%

Midterm - 25%

Final exam - 50%