Transnational history of contemporary Europe
Section outline
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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
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Attendance at lectures and preparation for the discussions through reading
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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.
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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.
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Midterm Assignment Critical reflection on primary sources (10%)
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For the midterm critical reflection paper, students are expected to begin by stating the topic of their final paper, including a preliminary title. In 200-250 words, they should discuss the primary sources they are considering for their research. Students must clearly explain why these particular sources are important and relevant to their topic, outlining how these sources will contribute to the development of their argument. They should also address why these sources were selected over others. In addition, students are required to provide 2-3 links to online archives or databases where they intend to search for these sources, demonstrating their familiarity with appropriate repositories for their research. Students are expected to submit their midterm critical reflection by November 15.
The submission module is available below between November 11 and 15.
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Lightning talk format: You are expected to present your research design in 8 minutes and defend it in the following discussion. Choose your date and topic by October 31.
1) carry out a literature and primary source survey so that you are sure you have enough of them to support your final paper
Present:
•the research topic, question, and aims
•Sources (primary and secondary) and methodology
•Preliminary findings based on chosen sourcesSeminars of Barbora Menclová
Submit the presentation by Sunday before your schedule expose to the email: barbora.menclova@fsv.cuni.cz
Presentations schedule list and topic:
Seminars of Rose Smith
Submit the presentation by Monday before your scheduled presentation to the email (rose.smith@fsv.cuni.cz) if you'd like to receive any feedback.
Presentations schedule list and topic:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n2QTzUig1SXXbaqmUL33-K6Gk3-bua33ePddi7dob7E/edit?usp=sharing
Seminars of Kateřina Fuksová
Submit the presentation by Friday before your scheduled expose to the email: katerina.fuksova@fsv.cuni.cz
Presentations schedule list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NEDev4LodYNv4CGtJZxObKo2gocyYqFeh97-ZeDtx5I/edit?usp=sharing
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A final paper of 3000 to 3500 words must be submitted by January 18, 2025. The paper aims to help students reinforce their academic writing skills, including the use of a transnational/comparative approach. Students are expected to present a clear thesis and support their argument with both primary and secondary sources. They should engage critically with the sources, ensuring they use evidence to substantiate their claims. Papers should be structured with an introduction that presents the thesis, body paragraphs that develop the argument using evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes the findings. Students must use Chicago Style citation. At least 10 primary and secondary sources should be referenced. Papers will be assessed based on the clarity of the thesis, the strength of the argument, depth of research, engagement with primary sources, structure, and writing quality. Please submit the final paper via Moodle as a PDF. Remember to uphold academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.
Please observe all relevant standards of academic writing and integrity, in particular, the following criteria:
1. Clarity of the research question/originality
2. Disciplinary relevance: Use of the transnational history approach
3. Strength of the argument
4. Structural coherence of the paper
5. Formal aspects: usage of sources, references, understandability/ academic writing