History 425/525 Top Euro Econ Hist

This is a course about the nature, development, crises, and dramatic transformations in the economies of Europe since 1914. The course requires no background knowledge of European history or economics. Topics include the following: the economic impact of World War I, the economic problems of the 1920's with a focus on the origins of the depression of the 1930's, the different national experiences of the depression in a global context, the aftermath of World War II in terms of the development of new institutions of international economic management and development, economic growth and stagnation in select countries of Europe in the period 1945-1980, socialist economies in Eastern Europe from the emergence of the Communist regimes until the end of Communism in 1989, and an introduction to the economics and institutions of the European Economic Community and the European Union.

Several of the topics in this course involve close analysis of economic processes. The assumption is made that no student in the course has background in economics, and so the course will introduce students to a variety of conceptual tools in economics for understanding specific issues, in particular, international trade and finance, macroeconomic growth variables and processes, and the role of government in the economy, notably through budget and monetary policy.

The course places special importance on the independent and individualized learning process of the student. The assignments provide students the opportunity to probe more deeply into topics of special interest to themselves, on which they are expected to develop a certain expertise.

Course Policies

The course grade will be based on successful completion of the following:
Two papers, each 7-10 pages in length
Final examination covering all assigned readings, lectures and class discussions. This will be an essay take-home examination.

Each of the two required papers will have a different profile. The first paper will be chosen from a list of specific topics in European social or economic history pertaining the period up to and including that immediately following World War II. The paper will require reading in at least one book length study, or three article length studies, on the specified and chosen topic. This paper will be due at the mid-term. The second paper will be on a topic of the student’s choosing, pertaining to the social or economic history of Europe since 1945. Like the first paper, this one also must be based on at least one book length study, or three article length studies. This paper will be due at the end of the term.

An extensive bibliography will be distributed to help students locate sources for these papers. As the above description suggests, the latitude of topical choice for the papers will be much broader than the individual topics of weekly readings and lectures. In particular, options for social history, such as the history of women, workers, and labor movements, will be available for these paper assignments.

Required Texts

The following books of required readings will be available for purchase at the University of Oregon Bookstore:

Dietmar Rothermund, The Global Impact of the Great Depression
Ivan T. Berend, Central and Eastern Europe 1944-1993
John Pinder, The European Union: A Very Short Introduction

In addition, a packet of required photocopied readings will be available for purchase