HIST 391 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

COURSE NUMBER:

HIST 391

COURSE TITLE:

The First World War

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Mark Sandle

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the history of the First World War, adopting a thematic and a comparative approach in order to explore some of the contested issues in our understanding of this key moment in twentieth century history, and of subsequent ways in which this war has been interpreted and represented by historians commentators and politicians. In this course we will examine a range of different source material as we explore some of these questions - visual, textual, official - and seek to understand the forces which continue to shape our world today. Throughout the course we will debate and reflect upon what it means to study the past as Christians, and seek to develop a Christian perspective on key issues and developments.

Prerequisites: HIST 204

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Huw Strachan, The First World War (Simon and Schuster Re-Issue 2014)

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Essay 1 (2500 words)	25%
Essay 2 (2500 words)	25%
Source analysis (2000 words)	20%
Final exam	30%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course students will:

Understand the key developments, themes and personalities in the history of the First World War
Assess the impact of the war on the politics, society, culture and economy of the different nations under consideration
Evaluate the validity and merit of contrasting forms of historical judgement
Demonstrate the ability to utilise effectively primary sources in the context of WWI history in the construction of an argument
Develop their skills of critical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, communication and debate
Further refine their Christian perspective and outlook through an extended engagement with the past

COURSE OUTLINE:

BLOC ONE:
In this opening part of the course, we will be examining the lead up to the war. This will include an analysis of the origins and causes of the war, what the world was like in 1913, and some assessment of the different explanations that historians have put forward. We will also examine whether or not it was an avoidable conflict
BLOC TWO:
In this section we will examine the many and varied military dimensions of the conflict. This includes different theatres - Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia - but also the naval and air wars too. We will also take time to think about other aspects of the war: technology, the trenches, changing tactics and also failed attempts to end the war (diplomacy and military).
BLOC THREE:
In this section we will highlight the home front in a number of different countries, and think about the social history or lived experience of the war. We will look at literature and poetry. We will also look at the different experiences of the states and seek to find out which countries adapted best - politically, economically, culturally - to the exigences of "Total War"
BLOC FOUR:
In the final part of the course we will be examining the end of the war, including the ceasefire, the Paris Peace Conference and the legacy of the war for subsequent world history.

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.