Europe since 1945

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course will delve into the complex and transformative history of Europe from the ashes of World War II to the present day. Designed for History majors and students in European Studies, this course moves beyond a simple chronological survey to explore the enduring themes of rebuilding, forgetting, and belonging that have shaped the continent's postwar trajectory. We will grapple with the profound legacies of Nazi occupation, war, and genocide, including the uncomfortable realities of European complicity. To illuminate these themes, we specifically will examine the distinct experiences of smaller nations like Belgium, Austria, and Hungary, whose postwar narratives offer unique insights into the broader European story. Examining the fraught division of Europe into Cold War blocs, we will analyze the multifaceted processes of infrastructural and psychological reconstruction. We will also take time to study pivotal moments such as the 1968 revolutions, the evolution of economic integration, and the emergence of a transnational European culture. In this course students will gain a nuanced understanding of the forces driving European integration and fragmentation. Finally, we will critically assess the seismic shifts following the fall of communism, focusing on the ongoing negotiations of identity, memory, and belonging in a rapidly changing Europe.