Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit focuses on twentieth-century wars and revolutions across the globe. It explores the concept of revolution in its broadest sense: as a fundamental transformation of politics, society or culture. Topics to be studied include the social and cultural revolutions of the 1920s; ideological revolutions in Germany and Italy; the economic and social consequences of World War II; decolonisation struggles; 1960s cultural revolutions in China, Europe and the United States. Finally, the end of the cold war will be studied in light of religious and ethnic counter-revolutions, and the resurgence of nationalism in Eastern Europe.

Objectives

Students successfully completing this unit will be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to discuss in an informed way the relationship between revolution and social change;
2. An understanding of the distinctions between political and social revolutions;
3. An appreciation of the difference between total war, civil war, cold war and revolution;
4. An awareness of how ideas about race, ethnicity, identity, nationalism and freedom informed; revolutionary movement in the twentieth century;
5. The ability to assess critically visual sources and their contributions to historical memory;
6. The ability to analyse a variety of written historical sources;
7. The development of skills for collaborative learning and group work;
8. The acquisition of solid writing and oral presentation skills;

Assessment

Written work: 90%
Tutorial participation: 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Christina Twomey

Contact hours

Two hours of lecture and one hour tutorial

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

History