HIS42480 War, Peace, and Globalisation

Academic Year 2021/2022

Does globalisation sustain international peace? Or does globalisation contribute to escalating international tensions, leading to conflict? This issue, of major contemporary importance, has a long history. That history is the subject of this module, which examines the relationship between commercial integration of states and societies and international politics between the 18th century and the end of the Cold War. We will analyse the ebb and flow of economic interdependence, political perspectives, the impact on grand strategy, and intellectual engagement with this question.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1) understand the varied relationships between economic interdependence, war, and peace in an historical context;
2) interpret relevant primary sources and data;
3) assess relevant historiographical debates and writings from cognate disciplines.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will address the following topics: 1) Globalisation, war, and peace in contemporary debate; 2) Montesquieu, Kant, and commercial peace in 18th century; 3) Cobden, free trade, and international politics, 1840-1870; 4) Commercial rivalries and interdependence in the late 19th century; 5) The two world wars and the collapse of globalisation; 6) The Cold War and interdependence.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

222
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group, seminar-based module. It is taught a weekly two-hour seminar. The seminar will involve a combination of close readings of sources and important secondary texts and student presentations on particular topics. Students will write one general essay on the questions raised by the module and a research paper, on a topic agreed with the module supervisor. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Document analysis, c. 1,000 words. See handbook for more details. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Project: This project is a research paper of 4,000 words, on a topic agreed with the module coordinator. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

80

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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?

The module coordinator will provide written feedback on the essay and project. The student can also meet the module coordinator to discuss written feedback.