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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2023/2024

Modern History of International Relations before 1945

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type: Compulsory course
Area of studies: International Relations
When: 1 year, 3 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Dmitry Novikov
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6
Contact hours: 38

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course covers the modern period of global history, focusing on the rise of decline of the post-WWI international order in different aspect: economic, social, political and geostrategic ones. There are no prerequisites for this course. However, a rigorous work during the course is required. Students who attend all classes, participate in discussions, solve home assignments, and complete the course projects would very likely pass the course with a good grade.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To understand the economic and social development European states in the interwar period (1920-1930);
  • Analyze the reasons and consequences of the Great Depression;
  • Have a deep and comprehensive outlook of the ideological context of the social and political development of European and non-European societies (rise of Fascism and Militarism, spread of Communist ideas);
  • To examine the preconditions and reasons of the WWII and policies of the Great Powers, which led to destruction of the post-WWI international order.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Be able to determine the role of Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan in undermining collective security;
  • Be able to determine characteristic features of dictatorial regimes of Italy, Germany, and Spain;
  • Be able to determine the role of Versailles System in stimulating the rise of fascism in Europe;
  • Know strategic and military preconditions of WWII;
  • Know the impact of the Great Depression upon the progress that had been made in terms of international collaboration through the League;
  • Know the implications of the Treaty of Versailles for the Weimar Republic;
  • Know the reasons for the appearance of fascism in Europe;
  • Know the role of Germany and Italy in the Spanish Civil War;
  • Know the US role in international relations during the interwar period.
  • Understand the theory and logic of detente
  • know and understand the key treaties and events of the Detente policy
  • understant the context and nature of the Korean War
  • understand influence of the Korean war on the Cold War
  • learn the nature and context of the Vietnam war
  • learn the political and strategic developements in Eastern Europe in the first half of the Cold War
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Consequences of the WWI
  • The League of Nations and Collective Security
  • The Weimar Republic
  • The Great Depression
  • Rise of Fascism
  • The Manchurian Crisis and The Spanish Civil War
  • Appeasement
  • Beginning of WWII
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Quizzes
  • non-blocking Test
  • blocking Final Exam
  • non-blocking Seminars activity
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2023/2024 3rd module
    0.25 * Final Exam + 0.25 * Quizzes + 0.25 * Seminars activity + 0.25 * Test
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Sylvest, C. (2004). Interwar Internationalism, the British Labour Party, and the Historiography of International Relations. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.29F9DF84
  • Wunderlich, F. (1938). Germany’s Defense Economy and the Decay of Capitalism. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.83726108

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • David S. Jacks, & Dennis Novy. (2019). Trade blocs and trade wars during the interwar period. CESifo Working Paper Series. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.p.ces.ceswps..7665
  • Jacks, D. S., & Novy, D. (2019). Trade Blocs and Trade Wars during the Interwar Period. The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.p.wrk.warwec.1197

Authors

  • Bodishtianu NIKOL
  • NOVIKOV DMITRIY PAVLOVICH