| CODE | HST3010 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Contemporary International Relations for Historians | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | History | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This series of seminars investigates the main issues that define late twentieth and early twenty-first century contemporary history. It takes as its framework the predominant global themes that define the era of international history since the Second World War, when international history becomes really world history, including the end of Euro-centric international relations, the Cold War and its concomitant alliances and alignments, decolonisation and the coming into being of the ‘Third World’, and the East-West contest intersected by the North-South divide. Within this framework, and drawing on more distant historical experience, seminars seek to evaluate historically some of the most salient developments in contemporary history, notably the end of the Cold War, the collapse of communism and of the Soviet state, Europe’s integration, reunification and recovery of status, post-Cold War Western and European security concerns, Balkan unsettlement, Mediterranean security concerns, the contested notion of a ‘clash of civilizations’, upheaval in the Arab world, and the search for a new international order. Seminars are conducted in such a way as to encourage students to apply their historical knowledge to the understanding of contemporary trends and events along the notion of the past defining and explaining the present. A schedule of seminar topics will be drawn up at the beginning of the course with the corresponding reading for each session, on the basis of which students are to prepare themselves ahead of each session. Study-unit Aims • To include events and developments occurring in our time within the scope of the study of history; • To demonstrate the relevance of history to the understanding of the world we live in; • To instil in students the notion that history is a living process; • To support the synoptic approach to the study of history. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Be conversant on the issues that dominate in the contemporary world; • Be familiar with a wide array of literature by authors coming from diverse disciplines; • Bring to his or her acquaintance with international affairs a depth of historical perspective; • Transcend the idea of history as a relic of the past and recognize its timeless relevance; • Evaluate the weight and meaning of historical events by the application of hindsight. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Draw on previously acquired knowledge to understand a complex contemporary issue; • Contribute to public discussion on topical subjects; • Think synoptically; • Apply historical knowledge to any life situations requiring a grasp of current affairs; • Draw on the knowledge acquired in any competitive examinations or interviews which require awareness of the contemporary world. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings • All readings are available in the University libraries. The main source of reading are journal articles indicated in the schedule of seminar session, which will be distributed to students at the beginning of the seminar series. Additionally, the following for general reference: Peter Calvocoressi, World Politics since 1945-2000, Longman, latest edition Keesing’s Record of World Events and The Annual Register: a Record of World Events (for the most recent factual updates). |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is offered only to History/European and Global History students. | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Seminar | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Dominic Fenech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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