HHIA04114U CEMES/HIS, European economic identity in the American century
MA-level:
Modern European Studies 1 (Subject element HHIK03701E) [2013-Curriculum]
Modern European Studies 2 (Subject element HHIK03711E) [2013-Curriculum]
HISTORY
MA-level:
Module I-VI [MA Programme, 2008-Curriculum]
MA-elective:
Module I-VI [MA-elective Programme, 2008-Curriculum]
BA-level [Internal BA-elective for BA students of History]
Module T4 (Subject element HHIB10501E) [BA-elective studies, 2007- and 2013-Curriculum]
Module T5 (Subject element HHIB10511E) [BA-elective studies, 2007- and 2013-Curriculum]
European economic identity in the American century
The 20th century has often been called
the “American century”, referring to the increasing influence of
the United States in the world. Starting with its rise as a major
industrial power at the end of the 19th century,
competing with Britain and the German Reich in the struggle for
global markets and national prestige, the American (economic)
empire both appealed to and penetrated the politics, (mass)
cultures and economies of European countries. Once the foundations
for the integration of Europe’s economies were laid following the
end of World War II, this process – sometimes described as
Americanization, sometimes as the cultural transfer of American
ideas, norms, practices, and values to Europe – also affected
Europe as a region. The idea of continuing American influence on
European businesses and policymakers alike begs the question of
just how Americanized the economies of the old continent have
become. So, how has “European economic identity” fared in the
American century? This question is the starting point for a
systematic exploration of American influence on European economic
identity in the 20th century, which we will undertake in
this course.
To understand the multiple facets of the Americanization of the
European economy in the 20th century we will pursue a
number of key questions including: who are the drivers of
Americanization (countries, regions, economic sectors, specific
businesses)? How can we conceptualize the conditions that make
politicians, policymakers and entrepreneurs consider new production
and management ideas and new values and transfer them into their
countries? Does change occur in response to economic turmoil
(caused by war and/or recession/depression)? Or is only the
strength of the American economy responsible for its lasting pull?
Was the American economic empire equally well received in the
different politico-economic traditions of the United Kingdom,
Germany, France and the Scandinavian countries, for example? And,
finally, what are the limits of Americanization?
A combination of introductory lectures, guest lectures by
specialists in the field (t.b.c.) and a number of seminar
activities including student presentations, small-group work and
the general discussion of key readings and sources will equip
students with the skills to analyze and describe the forces,
processes and themes associated with the Americanization of the
European economy in the 20th century. At the same time
this course will guide students in developing a long-term
historical perspective on one of the most hotly debated questions
of our time, namely why (most of) Europe today shares with the US
an essentially neoliberal outlook on the economy, evidenced by
continuing deregulation, privatization and the decline of the
welfare state.
Course objectives (clarification of some of the
objectives stipulated in the curriculum):
• analyze and describe the forces, processes and themes associated
with the Americanization of the European economy in the
20th century
• evaluate the historical literature and selected primary sources
pertaining to Americanization and American influence on European
economic identity
• apply different tools associated with Americanization/cultural
transfer to specific case studies
• communicate and discuss the key themes of the course clearly and
effectively, orally and in writing
- Victoria de Grazia: Irresistible Empire: America's Advance through Twentieth-Century Europe. Cambridge/MASS and London: Belknap Press, 2005.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 56
- Total
- 56
Individual Elective Study
History: anlum@hum.ku.dk
Deadline for application form: 1st June 2014.
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Other under invigilation
Criteria for exam assesment
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- HHIA04114U
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree MasterBachelor choice,Full Degree Master choice
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Schedule
- See scheme link
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Archaeology, Ethnology, Greek & Latin, History
Contracting department
- SAXO-Institute - Archaeology, Ethnology, Greek & Latin, History
Course responsibles
- Brigitte Leucht (6-756b703e383d48707d7536737d366c73)