HISTORY
From Hitler to Gaddafi: Modern World Dictators
AUTUMN HN168
Wednesdays
Tutor: Eamonn Mc Grattan
This unique course introduces students to ideas and themes related to modern world dictators. From the totalitarian dictatorship of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany during the mid-20th century to the recent autocratic reign of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, students are encouraged to explore political, social, religious, cultural and ideological questions in relation modern dictatorship. How do we define a modern dictator? Are there certain characteristics that we can identify?
The lectures will be delivered via a series of case-studies, which will examine modern world dictators. Besides the above two mentioned historical figures, the course asks whether Eamon de Valera may be classified as a ‘democratic dictator’? The course will also analyse the respective dictatorships of Joseph Stalin (Soviet Russia), Kim Jong-il, (North Korea) and Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe).
| BELFIELD | ||
| 9 Wednesdays |
Sep 26, Oct 3, 7, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 (No Class Oct 10) |
7.30pm - 9.30pm |
| 1 Saturday | October 13 | 11.00am - 1.00pm |
| FEE €190 | Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment |
Please note the amendments to the schedule - No Class on 10 October
Tutor Details:
Eamonn Mc Grattan is on extended leave from his doctoral degree in American history at Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University. He completed his BA and MA degrees in History at UCD and is a former Fox Fellow at Yale University. His doctoral research focuses on draft resistance and the ending of conscription in the United States. He is the former recipient of the NUI Travelling Studentship Prize and the Prince Consort Studentship Award at Cambridge University.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered:
- Introduction to modern world dictators
- Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, Germany in the 1930s and 1940s
- Joseph Stalin and Soviet Russia, 1924-1953
- ‘Democratic dictator’? Eamon de Valera and Ireland, 1916-1973
- Kim Jong-il and North Korea, 1994-2011
- Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe, 1980-present
- Muammar Gaddafi and Libya, 1980s-2010
- What makes a modern dictator? Themes and concepts
Reading List:
Students will be encouraged to read biographies and if possible autobiographies of the selected modern ‘dictators’.
