Welcome to the online history course, “Europe Since 1945: From Division to Integration”! In this course, we will explore the fascinating history of Europe since the end of World War II.
The course is divided into three sections. In the first section, we will delve into the occupation of the continent, the beginning of the Cold War, and the rise of socialism in Eastern Europe. We will also study the growth and integration of Western Europe and the formation of the Iron Curtain.
The second section of the course focuses on the formation of the European Union, as well as East-West diplomatic initiatives. We will examine how these developments helped shape modern Europe and how they continue to impact European politics today.
In the final section, we will examine the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reunification of Germany, and the EU’s eastern enlargements. We will explore how these events transformed Europe and set it on a new path towards integration.
Throughout the course, you will have access to weekly lectures and discussion sessions with the instructor Dr Emmanuel Comte. You will also have access to readings, audio recordings, and full transcripts of each lecture.
We encourage you to actively participate in the live discussion sessions held every Thursday at 1pm GMT. You can submit questions via email or post them in the course forum.
Upon completion of this course, you will have gained a deep understanding of European history since World War II and how it has shaped modern Europe today.