Module manager: To be confirmed
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Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The First World War has been described as ‘the great seminal catastrophe of the twentieth century’ and its legacies are still visible in the world today. We will place the war in its global context and examine key events and themes relating to the conduct, experiences, aftermaths and legacies of the war. You will assess whether this is a war between nation-states or between global empires. You will examine the significance of African, Asian and Middle-Eastern theatres of war, the experiences of colonial and dominion troops, and the diverse and uneven effects of the war for different people and places around the world. Taking this approach disrupts the traditional periodisation of the war as commencing in 1914 and ending in 1918, and brings into view the mobilisation of millions of imperial subjects and their societies. We will discuss how these groups engaged with the conflict and sought to (re)negotiate their place in the world during this pivotal historical moment. 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 provide you with an in-depth historical knowledge of the First World War as a global conflict and to develop your skills when analysing events that transcend national borders. Small and large group discussions will help to assimilate a variety of perspectives and experiences.
Subject specific learning outcomes.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Analyse the links between events, processes, interactions and themes in the First World War across different cultural, political and national contexts
2. Locate, interpret and analyse a range of different types of primary sources
3. Critically analyse themes and trends in the historiography of the First World War from a global perspective
Skills learning outcomes.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Locate, assess and synthesise relevant information from a range of sources.
5. Communicate complex ideas in writing
6. Select the appropriate format for communicating information about different types of material
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 |
| Seminars | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Practicals | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Essay (semester 1): You will be invited to submit an annotated essay plan. Feedback on that plan will form the basis of a one-to-one meeting with each student.
Portfolio (semester 2): Literature Review: You will be invited to submit an annotated bibliography. Primary Source Analysis: You will give a presentation on your sources in the class related to the theme you have selected. Cultural Analysis: You will be invited to submit a short rationale (which includes identifying key themes for analysis) for your chosen pairing of items and the method of communicating findings (presentation, podcast, or written review).
Feedback on these formative items will provide the basis for discussion in a one-to-one meeting with each student
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Portfolio | 50 |
| 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: 28/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team