HIST 217-01, The Age of Extremes: European Culture and Society in the Twentieth Century, Fall 2011

Abstract

By focusing on the experiences of ordinary people and significant shifts in their values, we will study how Europe evolved through what one historian has called an “age of extremes” in the twentieth century. Central issues will include the experience and legacies of “total war,” daily life under Nazi rule and in the Communist countries of Eastern Europe, the psychological impact of the Great Depression, and the various ways in which people struggled to redefine themselves as Europe faded from a position of world dominance. The course is designed to encourage the development of critical thinking, writing, and discussion skills. To do this, we are not going to focus on the “what” question—what happened? — which makes for a dull litany of “one thing after another.” Rather our attention will be directed towards the “so what” question—how and why changes occurred and the significance these changes hold for us. Our time will be spent analyzing the past, constructing thoughtful arguments, and debating interpretations, not rote memorization. So time to toss those high school history notes and put away those boring textbooks.