The course provides a wide-ranging introduction to the social, cultural and political history of Europe since 1945, both east and west. The topics covered include the legacies of the war (from the lingering memories of wartime to the impact of WW2 on the civilian population), economic reconstruction and the role of the state, the communization of Eastern Europe, the Stalinist era and its show trials, the Cold War and some of its major crises, decolonization, European integration, the revolts of the '60s, and the fall of the wall. Throughout the course we will discuss key issues such as consumerism, generational conflicts and the transformation of class and gender relations. By crossing the fixed frontier between east and west, the course encourages students to regard the history of Europe as a unity. Similarly, the course brings together political, social and cultural history with the aim of engaging students in the exploration of the complex nature of historical analysis. Cultural texts (from novels to cinema and popular music), political writings and ego-documents (such as letters, diaries and memoirs) will be discussed throughout the course, allowing students to consider their relevance as historical sources.
