Political Extremism in Historical Perspective

About the course

The course provides you with in-depth knowledge of how different political and religious extremes have been considered and how this has developed from the late 1880s onwards, based on literature and practical exercises with primary sources. The course addresses the causes behind the emergence and development of movements considered as being extreme and a threat to society, based on their core ideology and chosen political strategies. Furthermore, attention is given to how certain movements are defined as politically extreme at different times, why that is the case, and who sets these definitions. Special emphasis is placed on discussing on what grounds and in what contexts certain movements were considered politically extreme and how this has changed over time.

The course also provides you with knowledge of how the surrounding society responded to these groups, based on contemporary perceptions of what is defined as a politically extreme movement. The course mainly focuses on Europe and the United States.