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The “Hitler-Stalin-Pact”( Molotov-Ribbentrop-Treaty or “Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and Soviet Union”)

General Information
Teacher: 
prof. dr Norbert Kapferer
ECTS: 
4
Number of Hours: 
30
Thursday 14:00 - 15:30
Preliminary requirements: 

- Interested in History of International Relations;

- Interested in theories of war, especially in historical facts about outbreak of Worldwar II;

-Interested in studies of genocides;

- Interested in studies on totalitarianism;

Course Description: 

1.Introduction : Methods of historical analysis

2.Introduction: International Relations 1918-1933

3.Introduction of Genesis of Soviet Union and “Third Reich”

4.Advice and organization of students preparations and presentations

5. Management of discussions

Aims of the course: 

Historical facts about the genesis and all details of this treaty
“Third Reich” and Soviet Union as totalitarian dictatorships
Common Intentions of war against Poland
German and Soviet war crimes in Poland
Treatment of “Hitler-Stalin-Pact” after 1945

Ability to historical analysis of  International  Relations
Ability to compare  totalitarian systems
Ability to identify and qualify war crimes
Ability to critical reflection and reconstruction of the past

Teaching methods: 

  1. Introduction and presentation of theories of historical analysis

  2. Supervised Seminar with the combination of textanalysis, case studies and Paper- or Powerpoint presentation of students and following discussion

Evaluation & Completion: 

  1. Constant presence in teaching hours;

  2. Participation in discussions;

  3. Presentation (Paper or Powerpoint) of one topic of I.R Studies;Time :20 minutes;

  4. Oral Exam on one topic of I.R.Studies; Time 20 minutes – Five Questions;

  5. An Essay on one topic of I.R.Studies (15 pages including front page, index and list of literatur)

Students can decide what they prefer, Oral exam or Essay.

Basic Literature: 

The complete “Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and Soviet Union (Document)

Geoffrey Roberts : The unholy Alliance. Stalins Pact with Hitler. 1989

Isidor Vizulis:The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, 1990

Richard Overy: The Dictators. Hitlers Germany and Stalins Russia, 2005

Additional Literature: 

Hannah Arendt: Origins of Totalitarianism, 1949

Timothy Snyder: Bloodlands. Europe between Hitler and Stalin 2011

F.Chuev/A.Resis(ed): Molotov Remembers: Inside Kremlin Politics, 2007

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