West European Relations with Central and East Europe from Détente to EU SPS4008

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course covers the nature and development of West European relations with Central and East European (CEE) countries. It begins with the onset of Détente in the 1960s to the collapse of Socialist regimes in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It then progresses to the early 2000s when CEE countries established closer ties with Western European nations, ultimately leading to their integration in the European Union. The end of the course will focus on tensions within the EU involving CEE countries.

Timetable

Lectures: one hour per week

Seminars: one hour per week

 

Please note this course does not run every session. For further information please check the ESH Moodle page.

Requirements of Entry

Enrolment in an MA (SocSci) or MA (Arts) Honours Programme

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Source report (40%) of 1,500 words

Essay (60%) of 3,000 words

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the nature and development of relations between West European and CEE countries since the 1960s. Students will also develop an understanding of what history can tell us about the contemporary tensions within the EU involving CEE countries.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Discuss the nature and development of West European relations with Central and East European countries.

■ Evaluate the key factors that led to West, Central and East European integration.

■ Show a critical understanding of tensions within the EU, particularly in relation to Central and East European countries.

■ Demonstrate an ability to use primary sources to analyze relations between West European and Central and East European countries.

■ Develop well-reasoned and critically aware arguments, supported by the literature, in relation to West European relations with Central and East European countries.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.