Overview

Transnational History of Contemporary Europe 

Winter Semester, 2023-2024, Lectures: Wednesday 9:30-10:50, Seminars: Per Group 

Lectures by Associate Professors Adrian Brisku (Ph.D.) and Kateřina Kralová (Ph.D.), Seminars by PhDr. Barbora Menclová, Ph.D. (Group 1), Rose Smith, MA (Group 2), Kateřina Fuksová, MA (Group 3)

A relatively new perspective – representing the "spatial turn" in historical studies – transnational history of contemporary Europe is an insightful approach to understanding and analysing themes and trends in modern European history that go beyond the exceptionalisms of the Continent’s national histories and nation-states. More concretely, transnational history analyses cross-border connections and parallel developments among territories and interactions of people, ideas, capital and institutions with the effect of demonstrating historically achieved and/or failed political, political-economic, social and cultural transformations. Offered in lecture and seminar formats, this course provides students of political science, international relations and European studies with a sound critical understanding of several historical themes that still matter across European politics, economy, culture and society(-ies).

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Attendance at lectures and preparation for the discussions through reading

2. Active participation in seminar groups, including presenting their proposed topic for the final paper (40%). Aims at solidifying research designs, strengthening presentation skills and practising critical reflection on projects presented. All students must choose a presentation date and submit a tentative topic with an abstract by the end of week 4. 

3. The final paper between 3000 and 3500 words to be submitted in two weeks after the end of the course (50%), which will help students reinforce their academic writing skills, including the deployment of a transnational/comparative approach in their papers. 

4. Midterm Assignment Critical reflection on primary sources (10%)