Early Twentieth Century Europe – Politics, nationalism and aesthetics

Course Code: ES211E

Institution:

Department of Global Political Studies

Revision:

1.1

For students admitted spring 2012   spring 2011  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 17 September 2009.
This course syllabus (version 1.1) was approved 01 July 2010 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 19 January 2010. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 08 December 2009.

Education level

Entry requirements

Learning outcomes

• have basic knowledge about nationalism, politics and aesthetics
• have basic knowledge about the connections between aesthetics and politics
• have basic knowledge about picture and film analysis

• show ability to analyse different forms of text and picture material
• show ability to identify and realise connections between political, ideological and aesthetic expressions

• understand the multi disciplinary character of the course
• realise the individual need for further knowledge and continuation

Assessments

Oral group presentations
Written home assignment



Course content

The course discuss the interplay between aesthetics and politics during the period 1880-1939, with focus on a number of central concepts such as nationalism, ideology, dictatorship, propaganda and autonomy. Emphasis is put on the double role of aesthetics, as reinforcement of ideological and political ideas and as a force of social criticism.


Learning activities

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Individual studies

Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).


Reading list and other media

Anderson, Benedict, Imagined Communities, London 2006;

Arvidsson Claes and Lars Erik Blomqvist (eds.), Symbols of Power, the esthetics of political legitimation in the Soviet union and Eastern Europe, Stockholm 1987;

Benjamin, Walter, Art in the age of reproduction, [electronic resource];

Fitzpatrick, Sheila (ed.), Stalinism: New Directions, Routledge 1999;

Green, Martin, Mountain of Truth, University Press of New England 1986;

Kracauer, Siegfried, “The Hotel Lobby”, in Neil Leach (ed.) Rethinking Architecture, Routledge 1999, p.52-59;

Levine, Caroline, Provoking Democracy, Blackwell 2007;

Zimmer, Oliver, Nationalism in Europe, 1890-1940 [electronic resource].

Compendium with key texts on philosophy and aesthetics.

Films

Picture material

Selected novels

Additional material, max 300 pages, may be added.


Course evaluation

All students are given the opportunity to comment the course orally and in written form, at the end of the course. A compilation of the results will be available at the department’s computer net.
Student influence is practised through the Program Council