Module manager: Professor Peter Anderson
Email: P.P.Anderson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The Spanish Civil War forms the most important conflict in the inter-war period and marks a number of important watershed moments in twentieth-century history. It represented the most important clash between Fascism and Democracy of the period and volunteers from around the world rushed to Spain in an effort they hoped would prevent Fascist aggression. Meanwhile, the Nazis, Mussolini and the Soviet Union all intervened in the conflict while the British and the French pursued appeasement. Authors like George Orwell travelled to Spain to fight Fascism and here Orwell began to shape his ideas on totalitarianism. Photographers such as Robert Capa also pioneered new forms of war photography while the Nazis launched the first mass bombardment of a European town at Guernica. In response, humanitarians cared for refugees from total war including nearly 4,000 children evacuated to the United Kingdom. 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.
This module will engage you in a range of lively debates surrounding the Spanish Civil War in both its domestic and international contexts. You will study a rich array of primary and secondary material. To prepare you might watch videos, listen to podcasts, read through primary material and consider articles and book sections by leading historians. In class, you will engage in pair-work, group-work, class discussions and you will work with primary sources.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess the historiography of the Spanish Civil War.
2. Evaluate the significance of key events in the Spanish Civil War.
3. Argue the case for a specific interpretation of events in the Spanish Civil War.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Research controversial and divisive issues with competing interpretations.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking about complex historical issues.
6. Effectively communicate complex historical ideas about controversial topics to academic audiences.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Seminar | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Feedback given on essay plans, primary source answers, understanding of reading, interpretations. Feedback to be provided informally during seminar discussions (answers to questions, comments on ideas and observations) as well as clarifications and advice offered in response to email enquiries. Students will also be able to discuss ideas and feedback on essay plans (and on the essay) with the module tutor.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
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
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