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HIS32980

Academic Year 2024/2025

Britain's War Northern Ireland (HIS32980)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Edward Burke
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The British Army’s 38-year campaign in Northern Ireland (1969-2007) was one of the longest and most controversial in modern British history. What began as a peacekeeping intervention quickly morphed into a war-fighting or counter-insurgency operation, principally against the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). More British soldiers died in in 1972 than in any year of the British Army’s more recent operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. In 1976 the British government embarked on a policy of “Ulsterisation”, relying more upon the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment. The exception was an increased emphasis on the role of Special Forces and covert military intelligence units. This module examines the effects of Operation Banner on the dynamics of conflict in the North of Ireland.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1) Understand the British Army’s campaign – aims, doctrine, strategy and operations - in Northern Ireland.
2) Comprehend theories of counter-insurgency/terrorism, civil wars and political violence.
3) Analyse, interpret relevant primary sources.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will address the following topics: 1) Counter-insurgency or counter-revolutionary warfare in the late 20th century; 2) British Army strategy and operations in Northern Ireland; 3) Paramilitary violence; 4) the use of covert intelligence in the North of Ireland.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

90

Autonomous Student Learning

90

Lectures

11

Seminar (or Webinar)

22

Total

213


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Generative AI may not be used for assessments in this module. If you have any concerns about what is included in the remit of generative AI, please consult with your Module Coordinator.

This module will be taught through a combination of seminars and lectures.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Seminar presentation on set question or topic and subsequent essay Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
40
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Overall participation in seminar activities / discussions Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
20
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Research paper, approx. 3,500 - 4,000 words. See handbook for more details (End of Semester) Week 12 Graded No
40
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 09:00 - 10:50