Total war and social change: Europe 1914-1955
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This course explores the connections between war and the significant transformation of society that took place during the first half of the twentieth century. It examines relationships between total war and social, cultural and geopolitical change – including revolution – and covers topics such as: European governments; societies and armies in 1914; the nature of warfare and differences in the conduct of the two world wars; social developments in western democracies; the holocaust and genocide; the division of Europe after 1945; the effect of war on the lives and status of women; film and propaganda; and the relationship between war, literature and the arts.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Arts and Humanities.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | AA312 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
There are four books that deal with the issues in a largely chronological order, with a fifth that draws together the discussions of the main topics.
Book 1, Europe in 1914, sets out the aims of the course, introduces methodological issues and gives guidance on historiographical problems, analysis of primary sources and writing history essays. It provides sufficient information about Europe in 1914 to enable you to assess what effects World War I had on European politics and society and introduces you to the debate on the origins of the First World War.
Book 2, World War I and its Consequences, examines how far World War I was a total war, exploring the great historical debate over its consequences, and recognising the argument that continuities are more important than discontinuities. There is a comparative study of the Russian and German revolutions and the collapse of the Habsburg Empire. What constitutes a revolution? How far were the upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe direct outcomes of the war? How far were they products of autonomous forces?
Book 3, Between Two Total Wars, discusses the interwar social and cultural, economic and political developments (including the rise of fascism and Nazism), with reference to possible connections with World War I and the causes of World War II.
Book 4, World War II and its consequences asks in what ways World War II differed from previous wars. Were genocide, strategic bombing and resistance movements peculiar to it? At the heart of the book is an extended discussion of the main historical debates over the consequences of that war and a comparison between World Wars I and II. Was post-war social and economic reform related integrally to the war? How far were women affected by this war as compared with World War I? How do the two world wars compare as ‘watersheds’, or in the way they affected the arts, literature and intellectual and social attitudes? The book ends with a discussion of the geopolitical consequences of the war and social and political developments up to 1955.
Book 5, Total War and Change in Twentieth-Century Europe looks back over the course as a whole. It asks you to examine the causes and nature of total war and how total war differs from other kinds of war: you will analyse the processes of long-term trends, such as social developments, and their relationship to war. Finally, the book analyses the debates over exactly what the effects have been on geopolitical and social developments in the twentieth century.
You will be expected to cover one unit per week, with two ‘free’ weeks, one at Easter and one in August.
The course will enable you to:
- argue in an informed way about the nature, extent and causes of social change within and across select European states (Russia, Austria-Hungary until the aftermath of World War I only, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) between 1914 and 1955. Turkey, the Balkans and Central European countries are also discussed when they are relevant and there are references to Scandinavian and other European countries, as appropriate
- understand the nature of total war and discuss in an informed way the relationship between war and revolution in the twentieth century
- discuss the causes of the two total wars, evaluating ‘structural’ forces (to do with economic and demographic imperatives) against factors such as geopolitics, ideology, nationalism and contingency
- argue in an informed way about the role of war with respect to social change, and in particular to evaluate the significance of the two total wars in relation to structural, political and ideological forces and to discuss the relationship of the wars to the main geopolitical changes
- develop skills learnt at Level 1 and Level 2 in critical analysis and interpretation of primary source materials, including written documents, literary and artistic materials, film, radio and manifestations of popular culture
- understand some of the different approaches to historical study, ranging from the theoretical (in some forms of Marxism, for example) to the empirical (as in the approach to history introduced in the discontinued arts Level 1 course A103), and also quantitative and qualitative approaches
- write history essays of honours-degree standard
- take further your understanding of the nature of historiographical controversy, and arrive at informed judgements over the issues and debates presented in the course.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably at the OU. You should already have some of the skills appropriate to study of history at this level.
If you intend to study for the BA (Hons) History, you should have successfully completed Exploring history: medieval to modern 1400-1900 (A200) before studying AA312. However, entry is not restricted to those studying towards the BA (Hons) History.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
You may find it helpful to do some background reading of the set book, Europe 1880–1945.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the printed study materials are available, although some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. The printed study material is available in comb-bound format. The printed study materials are also available as audio in the DAISY Digital Talking Book format. Transcripts are available for any audio-visual material. The video and audio materials are integrated into the main text and there is also a full-colour art pack and a map booklet. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about the availability of alternative formats.
In order to complete the double-length TMA, it will be necessary for students to consult selected books and articles in addition to the study material. We will be able to provide all appropriate help with this, so that students with additional requirements will be able to meet the learning outcomes of the course.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Study books, other printed materials, audio CDs, DVD, website.
You will need
DVD and audio CD players.
You will probably need to buy one additional set text (approx. £20) and to be able to refer (either through buying, borrowing from a library, or via the Open University’s electronic journal provisions) to three to five other books or articles, for preparing for your double assignment. You will be advised of the cheapest and most effective way to access these by your tutor during the course of your study.
You may also want to access the online student-led discussion forum for this course. This will enable you to interact with other students.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Marwick, A, Emsley, C & Simpson, W (eds) Total War and Historical Change, Open University Press £26.99 - ISBN 9780335207930
- Roberts, J Europe, 1880-1945 (3rd edn), Longman £30.99 - ISBN 9780582357457
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013 when it will be available for the last time.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Arts and Humanities.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | AA312 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
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This was hard work and my congratulations go out to those who are not in my position of being retired. ...
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This is an interesting and absorbing course that seeks to link key social, economic and cultural changes with the effects ...
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Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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