LFU:online

Ability to independently make a research-based analysis and contextualisation of a topic in Contemporary History according to scientific rules; skills to independently research and evaluate topic-relevant sources and secondary literature; consolidated skills in writing of historic papers (formulation, giving of reasons and defending arguments).

The historian Eric Hobsbawn pointedly called the 20th century the “Age of Extremes”. More recently, Tony Judt and Timothy Synder have spoken of the “age of political visions”. It was a century of contradictions and political and social contrasts. It began with the bloody collapse of the great European empires and monarchies as a result of the First World War. A phase of liberal democratization was followed by fascism, communism and dictatorships, the Holocaust and the Second World War. The second half of the 20th century was a “roller coaster” (Ian Kershaw), characterized by the Cold War, social liberalization and the global implementation of the capitalist market economy.

In this seminar, students are required to write a BA thesis on the history of the 20th century. The topic and research question can be freely chosen within this time frame. Regional historical or micro-historical approaches are conceivable, as are those with national, international or global references. Students are required to work with source documents (archive work or source editions). References to the literature dealt with and discussed in the seminar are desirable. 

Reading, formal lectures, oral presentations and discussions, (online-) excercises.

Course with continuous performance assessment: attendance at all sessions, comments, exercises, written paper (abt. 78000 characters), oral presentation.

Positive assessment of one module from elective modules 7 to 12.

Online-enrollment required