PIR-10043 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module is designed to give a clear introduction to the academic study of International History within the discipline of international relations. It is useful for students of international relations, and also to students who would like to find out more about trends in world history and about key international events from the end of the second world war to the present day. The module covers the rise and fall of the Cold War, nuclear strategies, the global Cold War in Korea and Vietnam, decolonisation and nation building in Africa, the modern origins of the Arab Israeli conflict, international terrorism and Western military interventions since the 1990s.
The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate key themes and questions on topics covered by the lectures. Preparation for the tutorials helps students to develop the skills they need to conduct the assessments. Students are expected to prepare independently for seminars, and will often discuss their work in small groups during the tutorials.
The assessment for this module is in two essays, the first of 1,000 words counts for 40% of the assessment, and the second at 1,500 words counts for 60% of the assessment. Essay 1 is on a topic covered in weeks 1-4 and essay 2 is on a topic covered in weeks 5-10. In both cases, students will be expected to a) locate their essay within key debates in the academic literature b) evaluate evidence c) use evidence to develop an argument in answer to the question d) write clearly and precisely.

1) To introduce students to the academic study of international history as part of the discipline of international relations
2) To introduce students to important developments, transformations and events in international history since 1945
3) To enable students to develop core study skills and some key employability skills

Intended Learning Outcomes

evaluate methods by which our understanding of the post-war world is constructed;: 1,2
evaluate factors that shape the international system and key trends within that system (eg Cold War, nation-building, 'war on terror');: 2
assess empirical evidence concerning key events in post-war international history;: 1,2
develop an argument and assemble a coherent analysis that is communicated clearly, applying good standards of punctuation and spelling;: 1,2
understand the nature of academic honesty and plagiarism and effectively apply the conventions regarding the use and acknowledgement of sources, employing the Harvard referencing system;: 1,2
Identify and discuss pertinent sources of information from the academic literature of international history, as found in recommended textbooks, and in monographs, journal articles and websites listed in the module's reading list, and where appropriate from the student's own searches.: 1,2
critically assess certain historiographical debates concerning key trends and events in post-1945 international history;: 1,2

Study hours

10 hours attendance at lectures
10 hours attendance at seminars
2 hours attendance at study skills workshops
20 hours of structured engagement with online resources (digitally available readings, lecture slides)
8 hours of collaborative activity online (student preparation in groups for the class debates)
20 hours of independent study in preparation for tutorials
20 hours independent study in preparation of commentary
60 hours independent study in preparation of essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment