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History & The Arts
French Revolution
This free course provides basic historical background to the French Revolution. It will show that the Revolution accelerated intellectual, cultural and psychological change, and opened up new horizons and possibilities. In fact, while much controversy and scepticism remain as to the real extent of underlying change in the social and economic structure of France, it is generally agreed by scholars that the Revolution stimulated a widening of expectations and imaginative awareness: a belief, inherited from the Enlightenment, in the possibility of progress, as well as a conviction that state and society could be reconstituted with a view to realising social and individual aspirations and human happiness generally. As it degenerated into violence and bloodshed, however, the Revolution also provoked scepticism and pessimism about progress and human nature. The two basic types of modern political outlook, progressive and conservative, date from this experience. Which, if any, of these sets of beliefs was true is not at issue here. What matters is that the Revolution gave rise to them and gave them lasting life.
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History & The Arts
French Revolution
This free course provides basic historical background to the French Revolution. It will show that the Revolution accelerated intellectual, cultural and psychological change, and opened up new horizons and possibilities. In fact, while much controversy and scepticism remain as to the real extent of underlying change in the social and economic structure of France, it is generally agreed by scholars that the Revolution stimulated a widening of expectations and imaginative awareness: a belief, inherited from the Enlightenment, in the possibility of progress, as well as a conviction that state and society could be reconstituted with a view to realising social and individual aspirations and human happiness generally. As it degenerated into violence and bloodshed, however, the Revolution also provoked scepticism and pessimism about progress and human nature. The two basic types of modern political outlook, progressive and conservative, date from this experience. Which, if any, of these sets of beliefs was true is not at issue here. What matters is that the Revolution gave rise to them and gave them lasting life.
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Society, Politics & Law
Can you prepare for Brexit?
With the right knowledge you can prepare for anything. Are you up to scratch on Brexit? Take our fiendish quiz to find out.
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Society, Politics & Law
Why ‘No Deal is better than a Bad Deal’ couldn’t fly
The unmanageable cost of leaving without a Withdrawal Agreement helped the EU impose one that few would ever like.
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Society, Politics & Law
Why May’s middle way caused such disarray
In trying to steer between Remainers and hard-Brexiteers, the ‘Brexit Prime Minister’ was always at risk of displeasing all sides.
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Level 3 icon
History & The Arts
Roaring Twenties? Europe in the interwar period
While recognising the shadows cast by two world wars (one concluded and one imminent) over European society during the 1920s and 1930s, this free course, Roaring Twenties? Europe in the interwar period, demonstrates how a number of specific features indicate that the interwar period was a distinctive and important moment of modernity in the twentieth century, from the rise of the metropolis and the emergence of new forms of mass media, to the changing lifestyles of women and the increasingly interventionist approaches to managing the health and welfare of modern populations.
Ebook icon
History & The Arts
Roaring Twenties? Europe in the interwar period
While recognising the shadows cast by two world wars (one concluded and one imminent) over European society during the 1920s and 1930s, this free course, Roaring Twenties? Europe in the interwar period, demonstrates how a number of specific features indicate that the interwar period was a distinctive and important moment of modernity in the twentieth century, from the rise of the metropolis and the emergence of new forms of mass media, to the changing lifestyles of women and the increasingly interventionist approaches to managing the health and welfare of modern populations.
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Society, Politics & Law
The conceptual paradox of trusting in Brexit
Dr Volker Patent believes what the UK government is asking for is not trust, but blind faith - literally like turkeys knowing they will be on the Christmas menu with some choice in the various permutations of vegetable.
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Society, Politics & Law
The dilemmas facing the Labour party
The EU withdrawal agreement will only make Labour’s Brexit difficulties worse, says Dr William Brown, and the party needs to urgently find some greater clarity.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Is Theresa May leading the country into a liminal hotspot?
Professor Paul Stenner introduces a contemporary social psychological concept.
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Society, Politics & Law
Fit for office - the dark triad and selection of MPs
Dr Volker Patent looks at what we can learn from Brexit and how this reflects on those who represent us in Parliament and the processes by which they get there.