Total War in Europe: World War One

Subject HIST20058 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 8.5 hours per week
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Steven Welch s.welch@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

In 1914 Europe plunged into a war that soon assumed a destructive scale unprecedented in world history. This subject will focus on the causes of armed conflict, the nature of total war, and the consequences (social, economic, cultural and political) of war in modern European history. Special emphasis will be placed on illuminating the link between war and social and political change in Europe and on the process of modernisation and its discontents. Topics include: the origins of WWI, the experience of war, the impact of war on the home front, the aftermath of the war, and peacemaking.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • understand the causes and nature of modern, total war and its impact on politics, society, economics and culture
  • appreciate different historical approaches and understand some of the historiographical arguments on central themes in modern European history.
  • develop the skills needed for basic historical analysis (practice in document reading, in bibliographical searching, developing an argument, writing a research essay).
Assessment:

An essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a two-hour final exam 50% (during exam period).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five days, no late assessment will be accepted. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

1914-1918: The History of the First World War (D Stevenson) Penguin, 2004
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject should

  • Demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
  • Show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
  • Demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualization of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
Notes: Formerly available as 131-124. Students who have successfully completed 131-124 are not eligible to enrol in this subject
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Hebrew and Jewish Studies
History
History
History
History Major
Jewish Studies
Jewish Studies

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