Course Catalogue

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This special subject examines the origins, nature and lasting impacts of the radical social, cultural and political changes in West and East European societies during the 'long 1960s'. It looks at social and political change in communist Eastern Europe in the wake of de-Stalinisation, including the uprising of 1956 and 1968. It tackles the sexual revolution in East and West, including the introduction of the pill. It places this in a wider socio-economic and cultural analysis that looks at consumerism and affluence in the West, as well as the persistence of social inequality. Finally, it looks at social and political movements, including youth radicalisation around 1968 and the rise of second-wave feminism.

Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm: all year long. The three-hour seminars, interrupted by break in the middle, consist of a primary source workshop, a mini-lecture by the lecturer, and discussion of student presentations.

Successful completion of junior honours in History.

None.

None.

One essay, 1500-2000 words in length worth 20% (semester 1)

An oral history exercise, 1500-2000 words in length worth 20% (semester 2)

Two seminar presentations, one per semester, together worth 10% 

2 x 2 hourly examinations in the April/May diet, together worth 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to:
1. to deepen the intellectual interests and analytical skills acquired by students during their first three years;
2. To offer the opportunity to study previously unfamiliar methodological approaches, chronological periods and geographical areas by offering a wide choice of options;
3. To develop students' engagement with and critical analysis of primary sources;
4. To introduce complex historical debates and interpretations, and to inform the discussion with new ideas derived from lecturers' current research;
5. To encourage the development of transferable skills by fostering individual initiative, group discussion, oral presentations using a variety of It resources, and problem-solving teamwork.

By the end of this special subject, students should be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the origins and nature of the socio-economic, cultural and political changes in Europe in the long 1960s
2. familiarity with the specific conditions in a number of key countries; the ability to meaning fully compare different cases across Eastern and Western Europe; and an awareness of how European developments were situated in the global context
3. an understanding of the interpretations on the lasting legacy of the 1960s in European culture
4. the ability to critically discuss the main historiographic debates on socio-cultural change in the 1960s
5. the ability to critically contextualise primary sources, and the ability to read texts on different levels
6. the ability to present a piece of primary and secondary source based research in the form of a seminar presentation and discussion, or an essay

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.