Course Description

Syllabus:  Fall 2021

Syllabus Disclaimer:  The information on this syllabus is subject to change. For up-to-date course information, please refer to the syllabus on your course site (Sakai, Canvas, etc.) on the first day of class.

Course Description

The twentieth century in Europe was plagued by chaos, political upheaval, economic crisis, war and destruction, on a scale that might seem inconceivable to pedestrians strolling down the gracious boulevards of Paris, Prague or Berlin today. This class explores some of the important themes of the European twentieth century, including the impact of war and violence on everyday life, the rise and evolution of Communism, the appeal of fascism, decolonization and emigration, and the creation of a new, prosperous and (somewhat) united Europe. Rather than attempting to be comprehensive, the course will selectively examine crucial moments in the past century via primary sources, novels, memoirs, essays and films.