ATS3994 · World wars: Asian and European perspectives

Overview

The period of global conflict in the first half of the twentieth century defined many of the geographic entities of the contemporary world and reinscribed the differences between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. The impact of World War I was experienced in different ways outside of Europe and the Pacific, including conflicts which are still unresolved till today. In this unit you will use this period of history as a context for comparative analysis, focusing on wartime and post-war phenomena such as decolonisation and mass migrations, the rise of the “Eastern bloc” and Non-Alignment, and the development and codification of concepts of human rights. Through analysing primary and secondary sources, students will develop an understanding of how this period of conflict facilitated and limited global interaction between the East and the West, and what its effects on our contemporary society are.

Areas of study: Comparative Asian and European studies

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Compare and critically analyse historical narratives from the period, using Eastern and Western points of view to develop an understanding of World War II from contrasting perspectives;
2. Apply advanced comparative methodologies to evaluate and critique the consequences of the wartime period in the East and West, with particular reference to colonial structures and human rights;
3. Independently research and critically evaluate primary and secondary sources relevant to post-war development in the East and West to support sophisticated and well-contextualised critical insights;
4. Communicate perceptively, effectively and with cultural sensitivity in written and oral formats, individually and in collaboration with peers.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.