070023 PS BA-Proseminar - Political Rights in Modern History (2019S)

The years 1918 to 1921 represent a phase of widespread democratization in Europe and North America. Especially, the introduction of women’s suffrage in several countries is currently being commemorated with new books and exhibitions. While this proseminar will specifically take up debates about why democratization was successful in this period shortly after World War I, it will also deal with the history of political rights in modern and contemporary history in general. Inclusions and exclusions based on gender, class, race, and ethnicity will form a special focus of discussions, taking into consideration that not only the norms but also the practices of political participation where highly relevant for defining who could vote and who could not.

This class will mainly be held in English. However, papers and assignments can be handed in in German and presentations can be delivered in German.

There will be an additional session in April (not during regular class hours due to the museum's opening times) in which we will visit the exhibition "'Sie meinen es politisch!' 100 Jahre Frauenwahlrecht" ("'They mean politics!' 100 years of women's suffrage") at the Volkskundemuseum Wien/Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art.