The history of fascism, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The focus of the course is the history of fascism from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The course will cover a wide variety of examples of fascism from around the world, looking at ideological content as well as the structure and development of fascist movements and, when applicable, fascist regimes. Special focus will be given to the ideological content and development of fascism and its different sub-types, the relationship between fascism and other political ideologies and the construction and practical application of the ideology of race particularly in Nazi Germany. The course will also contain social and gender perspectives.   
 
The course will be given entirely in English, but Swedish speaking students may choose to write their individual assignments in Swedish.

Expected learning outcomes

After having completed the course the student will be able to  
 
Knowledge and understanding:  

• display comprehensive knowledge about the development and structure of fascist movements during the interwar era and World War II.  
• display comprehensive knowledge about the creation, development and structure of fascist regimes during the interwar era and World War II.  
• display substantial knowledge about the ideological content and development of fascism and its different sub-types and the relationship between fascism and other political ideologies.  
• display substantial knowledge about the construction and practical application of the ideology of race particularly in Nazi Germany.  

Skill and ability:  

• display an ability to apply social and gender perspectives. 
• display an ability to compare different variants of fascism. 
• display an ability to independently formulate and analyse a scholarly problem in relation to the wider topic of the course as well as independently search out a limited amount of relevant scholarly literature for this purpose.  
• display an ability to formulate these learning outcomes in speech and writing.  

Judgement and approach:  

• display an ability to understand, discuss and critically assess different definitions of fascism.  
• display an ability to understand, contextualize and critically discuss the ideology of race in theory and practice within different kinds of fascism.  
• display an ability to understand, contextualize, discuss and critically assess relevant historical source texts. 

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS credits in history or history of science and ideas, or a Degree encompassing at least 180 ECTS credits, or equivalent. 
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Instruction consists foremost of self-governed reading and analysis of the course literature structured by a study guide made available through the course's web-based learning platform. The course will be structured through short online introductions to the main themes of the course and a series of mandatory graded (Pass/Fail) seminars. Seminars will be conducted online in writing on the course learning platform and orally using web-based conference systems such as zoom. For students present in Umeå, seminars may be conducted on campus. In some seminars, special attention will be given to the analysis of historical source texts.  
 
Students are required to have access to a computer equipped with microphone and web-camera as well as a stable internet connection in order to facilitate on-line seminar attendance.

Examination modes

The course will be examined through two individual written assignments and active participation in mandatory seminars. Seminars will be conducted both in writing and orally. For all mandatory graded seminars, preparation in terms of a shorter written assignment will be required. For one of the written assignments, students will be required to independently formulate and analyze a scholarly problem in relation to the wider topic of the course. Here, students will also be required to find a limited amount of relevant supplementary literature.   
 
In order to pass the course, students need to receive this grade for all mandatory seminars as well as the two written assignments. In order to pass with distinction, students need to pass the mandatory seminars and receive the grade pass with distinction on both individual written assignments.   
 
For students who do not pass the regular examination there is another opportunity to do the examination within two months and a third opportunity within one year. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.   
 
Deviations from the syllabus' specified type of examination can be made for a student who has a decision concerning pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adaptation of the type of examination must be considered based on the student's needs. The type of examination is adapted within the framework of the syllabus' expected study results. At the request of the student, the course teacher, in consultation with the examiner, shall promptly decide on an adapted type of examination. The decision must then be notified to the student.  
 
In the event that the syllabus expires or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus on which the student was originally registered for a maximum of two years from the previous syllabus expiring or the course has been discontinued.

Other regulations

In a degree, this course may not be included together with another course with similar content. In case of doubt, the student should consult the director of studies at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious studies at Umeå University.