The History of Post-war Europe: Building a New World

Programme (might be subject to some alteration)

Week 1: A Civilian War

The first session will cover the unprecedent involvement of civilians and the human cost of World War Two. It will consider the establishment of international organisations and relief supplied 1945-8 as well as their political impact. We will also look at the change in attitudes to social class in Britain and the desire for a more equitable society leading to the Welfare State and social democracy in western European countries. Mass Observation research and BBC archives will provide new insight into social change. Film clips will bring each session to life.

Week 2: An Iron Curtain

In this session we will study the historical context of the post-war era, the Cold War, and the development of relations with the USSR. We will discuss life in the countries behind the Iron Curtain, contrasting with Europe’s growing prosperity, most evident in Berlin. Our discussion will include attitudes and underlying conflicts resulting from political divisions exacerbated by the war. Protest movements such as the anti-nuclear protests will be considered.

Week 3: Post War Prosperity

Following on from the establishment of post-war prosperity, we will discuss its impact on daily life. This will include the post-war ‘baby boom’ and its consequences. We will consider the creative revolution of the 1960s and 70s in art, cinema and education, as well as women and children’s rights and child welfare. Gender issues and the impact of the Wolfenden Report will be discussed.

Week 4: Trouble and Strife

This week focuses on areas in crisis: civil unrest and the Red Brigades in Italy, the Cyprus crisis and the military dictatorship of 1967-74 in Greece. We will examine the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland and life in Spain under and after Franco.

Week 5: The End of History?

This session will analyse the events leading to the break-up of the USSR including, economic and social pressures, notably the secrecy surrounding pollution and the need for the reforms instituted by Gorbachev. We will also consider life in Eastern Europe before and after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Week 6: The Balkan Wars and the Growth of the European Union

This week we will discuss the causes and consequences of Civil war in Yugoslavia and Balkan instability. We will also examine the history and achievements as well as the expansion of the EU.

Week 7: Britain After the War

This week we will look at an overview of British post-war history, its leaders and economic and social questions. We will consider the impact of policies instituted under the Thatcher governments such as: monetarism, neo-conservatism and the impact on state welfare commitments, media and academic freedoms.

Week 8: A Global World

 This session will include questions such as: how have new ways of communicating and the globalisation of information changed our lives? We will discuss Europe’s place on the international scene and its contribution to world stability. We will also examine the impact of globalisation on food distribution and the problems of overproduction and inequality.

Rate Categories and Discounts

Standard Rate

• Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.

Internal Rate

• Current Imperial College students and staff (incl. Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at Imperial College by third-party contractors)
• People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
• Alumni of Imperial College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
• Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
• Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School

Associate Rate

• Austrian Cultural Forum staff
• Co-operative College members
• Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
• Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
• Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
• Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
• Friends of the Royal College of Music
• Harrods staff
• Historic Royal Palaces staff
• Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
• Members of the Friends of Imperial College
• Members of the Kennel Club
• Members of the London Zoological Society
• Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
• Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• National Health Service (NHS) employees
• Natural History Museum staff
• Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
• Royal Geographical Society staff
• Science Museum staff
• Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
• Students (non-Imperial College)
• Teachers and other staff of UK schools
• The American Institute for Foreign Study
• Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
• Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
• Victoria and Albert Museum staff

Late enrolment

It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.

Friends and Family Scheme

This course is eligible for allowing Imperial College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.

Web enrolment starts 1 March 2025

Enrolment and payment run through the Imperial College eStore. When enrolling:

• Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
• If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.

When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:

If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact the Course Tutor, Dr Sheila Lecoeur, s.lecoeur@imperial.ac.uk

If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk