HIST137-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018

Modern World History

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 February 2018
End Date: Sunday, 24 June 2018
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 2 March 2018
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 18 May 2018

Description

This course explores some of the major ideas and events that have shaped world history since 1945 and asks: Which are stronger, the forces for world unity or the forces for fragmentation? The first half of the course looks at the immediate post-war period. This is the time when Europe declines, European colonies become new nations and the United States of America (U.S.A.) gains power. It is the time of the Cold War when the world is divided by 'an iron curtain' between western capitalist states led by the U.S.A. and eastern bloc communist states centered on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The second half of the course looks at the world after the collapse of communism. We study the global impacts of the struggle for resources and the increasing prominence of terrorism in the modern world.

Learning Outcomes

  • On successful completion of the course students will be able to
  • Communicate insights into the impact of colonialism and decolonisation in shaping the world post 1945
  • Explain relationships between decolonisation, the cold war and the spread of communism
  • Discuss the impact of the struggle for resources on international relations and on the economic, political and social conditions of decolonised and new nations
  • Describe with examples the differences between terrorism and non-violent struggles for political change
  • Analyse and discuss primary and secondary sources
  • Demonstrate historical insights into modern world history in both written and oral form.

      • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
First essay - 1500 words 25%
Second Essay - 1500 words 25%
Tutorial Assessment (written) 5%
Tutorial Assessment (oral) 5%
Final examination - 2 hours 40%

Textbooks / Resources

W. M. Spellman, A Concise History of the World Since 1945 (New York: Palgrave, 2006)

Photo credit: Holly Penny -  Mahatma Gandhi and Che Guevara
Artist: MUL. (?) Part of a Mural: Rise All Freedom Fighters and Take Your Stand Once Again. Located behind Las Palmas on Elk Grove (at North Avenue) in the Wicker Park Neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Captured April 17, 2011.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $746.00

International fee $3,038.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All HIST137 Occurrences

  • HIST137-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018
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