Module manager: Dr Sean Fear
Email: S.Fear@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module is designed to develop knowledge and understanding of twentieth-century international history from roughly the end of the Second World War to the end of the Vietnam War. It uses a thematic approach to explore the development of international events and relations, engaging you in the study of ‘transnational’ history moving beyond a focus on traditional diplomatic relations. It examines the interplay of political, strategic, ideological, economic, and cultural factors in shaping international relations between countries involved in the global Cold War. Content note: in this module we are concerned with key themes including international relations, power dynamics, decolonization and anti-colonialism, war, state-building, and lived experiences of the Cold War. To discuss these themes effectively it is necessary for us to potentially read, look at, and discuss material which covers topics which may be challenging for you. These topics include: racism, sexism, and forms of individual and community discrimination; violence (systemic and militarized); and human rights abuses and humanitarian crises (including genocide). If you know that it will be unsettling for you to encounter such content, please make your tutor aware so that we can identify the best way to support you through these parts of the module. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The aim of this module is to explore the Cold War as a global phenomenon that fundamentally reshaped national, regional, and international histories in the twentieth century. It will introduce you to key themes and different historical approaches for understanding the Cold War’s diverse impacts.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess the Cold War as a social, political, and cultural phenomenon with global impacts.
2. Analyse methodological and thematic overlaps between ‘international’ and ‘transnational’ history.
3. Analyse and evaluate different historiographical approaches to study of the global Cold War.
4. Evaluate change over time and different regions’ and people’s experiences of the Cold War.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Critically analyse scholarly arguments and identify your contribution to historical debate.
6. Conduct research to further explore a topic.
7. Weigh up evidence to formulate arguments in the context of the scholarship.
8. Effectively communicate arguments based on evidence.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The book review assessment will be discussed in class, where students will be advised on how to prepare a successful review; students will be instructed on how to identity examples of published book reviews and encouraged to discuss book review assessment with instructor via email or in person during weekly office hours. Time will be set aside in class toward the end of term to discuss the assessed essay task and for in-class exercises (guided by the tutor) focused on finding sources and essay planning. Students will also have the opportunity to receive additional guidance via office hours / email.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Book Review | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 20/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team