LET-GESB2219
Thematic Seminar Voice of the People
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleLET-GESB2219
Credits (ECTS)10
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Arts; History;
Lecturer(s)
PreviousNext 2
Lecturer
M. Fischer, MA
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
J.L. Jenkins, MA
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
prof. dr. H.G.J. Kaal
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
prof. dr. H.G.J. Kaal
Other course modules lecturer
Coordinator
prof. dr. H.G.J. Kaal
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2021
Period
PER 3-PER 4  (31/01/2022 to 30/08/2022)
Starting block
PER 3
Course mode
full-time
RemarksAccessible to exchange students
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
After the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
  • independently find, select and process relevant literature on a historical topic
  • apply knowledge and insights gained from literature with regard to the theme of this course in your own historical research
  • search, select, contextualize and interpret - under the guidance of the lecturer - relevant source material in a methodologically sound manner;
  • formulate a relevant, well-defined research question within the theme provided
  • answer this research question under the supervision of the lecturer
  • write a scientific paper with a clear argumentation structure and adequate annotation, in correct English
  • report orally about your activities in a convincing manner;
  • provide feedback on the arguments of fellow students, and to process feedback from others in your own work (in relation to your personal writing file).
Content
In this thematic seminar, students go through the entire research cycle by charting the scientific debate from a provided theme, formulating a research question, analyzing and interpreting sources and literature in a methodically sound manner, answering the research question and writing down the findings in a paper, in correct English (or Dutch). The theme of the lectures is usually within the research expertise of the lecturer. The work is part of the personal writing file.
 
Our understanding of the political culture of postwar Western Europe is still heavily based on research that centers on the activities of the political elites and their institutions. In this seminar we therefore try to explore how ‘ordinary’ citizens actually perceived the postwar democratic system, what expectations they had of the people that represented them and the role their voices played in shaping postwar democracy up until the 1980s. In our seminar, we investigate the practices that were used to render the voices and opinions of the people legible; practices like opinion polls and surveys but also various interactive media formats in the printed press and on radio & tv, like letters-to-the-editor, voxpops and town-hall debates. We will be studying the public debate about them, as well as their nature and content. Many of these practices were heavily contested: Should we value opinion polls and town-hall debates as opportunities for democratic engagement and participation or do they pose a threat to the established system of representative government? Such debates already reveal a lot about contemporary perceptions of democracy, political representation and popular opinion. In our seminar, we combine an analysis of these debates with research on how practices like voxpops or a letters-to-the-editor section actually functioned and we analyse the voices of the people that were expressed through them. This means that journalists, pollsters, broadcasters, political science experts and politicians are some of the key protagonists, but also the "ordinary citizens” whose voices were at the heart of these practices.
 
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information

Specifics

Assumed previous knowledge
Admission to themed lectures in B2 and B3 is contingent on successfully completing the courses, which are part of the writing and research skills track: RADAr: Academic Language Proficiency (NB:before 2020-2021 the Language Proficiency was part of History of Globalization ór Tutorage), Tutorage and Study Skills, Writing History.
See the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) 2021-2022.

Exchange students: Only admitted if you are in a BA-degree program in History (USA: majoring in History).

Required materials
Texts
Title:Artikelen en hoofdstukken uit boeken
Publisher:Via Brightspace
Literature
Title:Geschiedenis schrijven! Wegwijzer voor historici
Author:J. Kamp et al.
Publisher:Amsterdam University Press
Book
ISBN:9780691203485
Title:Western Europe's Democratic Age, 1945-1968
Author:Conway, Martin
Publisher:Princeton University Press

Instructional modes
Seminar
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Presentation
Test weight30
Test typeOral exam
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5

Paper
Test weight70
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5