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A study of the Hapsburg Empire from its emergence as a major power in the eighteenth century to the disintegration of Austria-Hungary in 1918.

Like no other dynasty, the Habsburgs determined the fate of Europe. For centuries they provided the German kings and the Holy Roman Emperors, becoming the epitome of a monarchy. While national states emerged in large parts of Western, Central, and Northern Europe from the 18th century, the Habsburg dynasty used its strong political position to form a unique, multi-ethnic empire that was Europe’s largest country in the wake of World War I.

This course will survey political, social, cultural, and economic milestones in the historical development of the modern Habsburg Empire between the mid-17th century and its breakdown in 1918. It will show how the leaders of the Habsburg dynasty responded to the diverse challenges of their times, from the rapid rise of a militant expanding Hohenzollern dynasty in Prussia, to radical new ideas of the French revolution and the spread of nationalism, to the industrialisation and the emergence of a modern, liberated society. It will question, how the Habsburgers managed to preserve a political structure against constant internal and external threats thus showing how they evolved into masters of a modern European “game of thrones”? The city of Innsbruck provides an authentic location to teach Habsburg History. The former Habsburg residential city boasts various monuments of the dynasty’s former “shine and glory” that make ideal destinations for the course’s field trips.

The University of New Orleans International Summer School program has a mandatory class attendance policy. All students are required to attend class for all morning classes and any required afternoon and/or weekend fields trips and lectures. No unexcused absences are allowed. However, LFU students who have to miss a UNO class due to LFU examinations in the first two weeks of our program, can receive one excused absence for this. Any further unexcused absences will result in an academic penalty. Each faculty member determines the penalty for missed classes. Most professors deduct a letter grade for each additional missed class day. For details, please refer to your course syllabi, which will be distributed on the first day of class. The listed ECTS credits are a recommendation by the University of New Orleans Innsbruck Summer School, based on contact hours, anticipated out-of-classroom requirements such as field trips, and projected workload for readings, assignments, and exam preparation. Mail: Center-New-Orleans@uibk.ac.at