Module manager: Professor Holger Afflerbach
Email: H.Afflerbach@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
George F. Kennan called World War I the 'seminal catastrophe' of the 20th century. And actual historiography agrees that he was right: World War I was indeed the starting point for most evils of the 20th century: National Socialism, Fascism, Communism, and, naturally, World War II., wouldn't have been possible without the 'Great War'. - But how was this catastrophe linked with the developments of the 19th century? - Was this war the logical outcome of a highly militarized, imperialistic and nationalistic epoch, so that the Sarajevo Crime was only the proverbial spark in the powder barrel of European politics? In this class we will try to analyse and to understand the mechanisms of European Great Power politics between 1871 and 1914. We will examine some general tendencies and political problems of the times. We will try to understand how the politicians of the time tried to be in control of events. And we will deal with the peace keeping mechanisms of the European Concert of Powers as well as with the major events of international policy from 1871 to 1914, from the foundations of the German and Italian National States to the July crisis of 1914 and the outbreak of World War I.
The objective of the module is to explore the driving forces and central problems of Great Power Politics form Bismarck to the outbreak of World War I. It also aims to help you to evaluate the importance of imperialistic and colonialist tendencies in European politics before 1914 and to understand the attitude towards war and peace in European politics before 1914. The module further aims to provide an overview on some major historiographical debates on key aspects of the topic.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Analyse and interpret the foundations and structural elements of Great Power politics before 1914.
2. Analyse and critique relevant historiographical argument.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
3. Apply relevant written, visual, and electronic resources regarding the history of Great Power Politics in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the driving forces, the international system, the relevant factors of public opinion and internal politics.
4. Present, in writing and orally, well-supported historical arguments.
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 | ||
You will receive feedback on an in-class presentation. You will also have the opportunity to meet with your tutor for one-to-one meetings to get feedback on your approach to each assignment prior to the deadlines.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
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 | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/04/2025
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