Globalization, At least 5 cr

Objectives and description of the course

The aim of this course is to examine the origins, development and consequences of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) paying special attention to 1) the main historiographical debates on these issues and 2) the international dimension of the conflict. Therefore, the course will provide students with information about this historical event and about the main controversies regarding its interpretation, both key elements for understanding contemporary Spain. Moreover, it will put the civil war in a European context, and it will look at the Spanish conflict in a comparative perspective. An innovative characteristic of this course is that in the last part students and teacher will compare diachronically the Spanish and the Finnish Civil Wars, identifying similarities and differences in the causes, development, and outcomes of the wars. In this light, the course will conclude with a discussion of the characteristics, meanings and complexities of civil wars. The classes will be conducted in seminar format, with a lot of attention to discussion and student input.

Course learning outcomes:

By the end of the course the students will have acquired the knowledge of key events, actors and factors (both national and international) that contribute to explain the outburst, development and consequences of the Spanish civil war. Moreover, they will become familiar with the key historiographical debates and interpretations on the conflict. This will ensure that the students will be able to think critically about this historical event and about how it has been interpreted and represented. Also, through the comparison of the Spanish and the Finnish civil wars, students will learn the differences and the similarities existing between these events. Finally, the participants in this course will be able to identify and manage the key concepts, historical actors and authors studied in the course.

In order to achieve these outcomes successfully, students will have to attend to at least an 80% of the classes of the course. Class attendance will be a 10% of the final grade. They will be expected to read the literature provided by the teacher and actively participate in class. Participation in class will be another 20% of the final grade. Moreover, they will have to write a paper on any topic related to the contents of the course and accepted by the teacher. This paper will be a 70% of the final grade.

Organization of the course:

1) Introduction to the course. The Spanish Second Republic and Civil War in the European Context