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This seminar explores the political, cultural, and social transformations of the 1980s through a thematic lens, combining historical analysis with media and cultural studies. Students will investigate major developments in politics, economics, technology, music, television, film, social movements, and international relations, with particular attention to the interplay between the United States, the United Kingdom, and the wider world.
The course draws on two acclaimed documentary series – The Eighties (CNN) and 80s: The Decade That Made Us (National Geographic) – which serve as accessible yet thought-provoking introductions to each topic. These audiovisual sources are complemented by selected primary materials such as political speeches, advertisements, protest posters, artworks, and music videos, enabling students to engage directly with the artefacts and voices of the decade. Secondary literature readings will provide historical context and scholarly perspectives.
Students will critically examine the legacy of the 1980s, from the neoliberal turn and the end of the Cold War to the rise of global pop culture and technological change. The seminar encourages active participation through discussion, source analysis, and student presentations, fostering skills in critical thinking, media literacy, and historical interpretation.
Students will explore a plethora of aspects of the 1980s to find their own research question for a term paper.
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