HIS4792 - Introduction to Modern World History

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the key historical developments of the twentieth century.
Show an understanding of how these key developments have made today’s World.
Demonstrate the ability to analyse factors that caused change and development across this period, presenting that analysis in a short essay.
Demonstrate an understanding of the cultures and customs of the World, and of the ethics involved in understanding international issues, adopting an ethos of responsibility and action in response.
Work as a team to produce a group presentation of their analysis and responses to key questions in twentieth century using PowerPoint, Prezi or similar.

Content:

This module develops an overview of World History during the twentieth century; considering how this shaped the World we live in today. It explores a number of themes in the history of the last century such as the balance of power and the world order; the importance of ideologies in shaping this period and the World today; war, its nature and global and personal impact; the rise of ideological conflict and the Cold War; international organisations and the world order; the global economy and environment, globalization and global culture, including the causes of international inequalities.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A range of learning and teaching methods will be used. These include full group discussion and debate on video extracts including news film and documentaries (available on databases such as JISC MediaHub and Box of Broadcasts National available on LTU library web), contemporary documents (including newspapers available on LTU library web), and information from specified websites discussing the history of key international issues. Small groups of students will also give short ‘report back’ presentations, including PowerPoint etc., together with role plays on key issues such ideologies and conflict, including terrorism; comparative standards of living across the World; the results of globalization and the role of the individual as ‘global citizen’ in influencing international issues/politics. This will build student confidence in team work, independent research and analysis, debate, problem-solving and communication skills, while also challenging students to take on ethical responsibilities in today’s World.

Workshops
Hours: 29
Intended Group size: 25

Tutorials Hours: 1
Intended group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 – Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.
The presentations will echo the class sessions in which small groups of students will have given short ‘report back’ presentations, including PowerPoint etc., together with role plays on key issues such ideologies and conflict, including terrorism; comparative standards of living across the World; the results of globalization and the role of the individual as ‘global citizen’ in influencing international issues/politics.
The essay will be discursive and focus on a key issue raised by the course.