Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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ECGE1120A - Contemporary History II



Credits : 3

Lecturer :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , second term, 30 hours of theory.

Language of instruction :
French

Learning outcomes :
There are three main objectives:
The first one aims to inform. The course retraces the fundamental events and indicates how to find them via bibliographical references, but it does not however, present the entire subject matter that should have been studied in high school.
The second is a comprehension objective. Beyond events, there are movements, evolutions and phenomena, which the course aims to explain. From a pedagogical point of view, this concern is especially marked by the analysis of files dealing mainly with major crises of the 20th century: Great War, crisis of 1921, crisis of 1929, crisis of the end of the 20th century.
The third objective is to develop a critical approach to information, to highlight the multifaceted nature and relativity of available information and to show the necessary precaution to be taken while dealing with information.
At the end of the course, the student should be able to analyse a set of information with a discerning mind, to summarise information and to implement a set of concepts.


Prerequisites :
None

Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
After a global renewed perspective of the transition period from 1750 to 1950, the course will focus on the evolution of economic plans and the factors, which influenced it in Europe from the end of the 19th century, to the end of the 20th century.

It will successively address:
- The European system of laisser-faire and its impact before the First World War;
- The decline of laisser-faire and the rise of the regulated market system;
- Economic dirigisme in authoritarian fascist regimes;
- System of centrally planned economy;
- Mixed economy and Welfare State;
- Globalisation and return to laisser-faire.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Three elements support this course.
The first one is the book “Histoire économique de l'Europe au XXe siècle”, by Ivan T. Berend published by Deboeck in the collection Ouvertures économiques.
The second one is the set of slides that structure the lecture and complete or nuance the information found in the book.
The third one is the lecture itself, which is reflected, in the students' personal notes.


Assessment methods and criteria :
The written examination assesses the knowledge of these three supports. It may include multiple choice questions and/or open questions. In the case of open questions, some may refer to small parts of the course and require a precise but exhaustive answer. Other open questions are synthesis questions, which require answer elements that can be found in the whole course.


Recommended or required reading :
“Histoire économique de l'Europe au XXe siècle”, by Ivan T. Berend published by Deboeck in the collection Ouvertures économiques.

Other information :
Supports:
Book (see recommended reading)
Slides
Student's course notes