This module will offer a comparative study of wars in Europe from the French Revolutionary Wars to the Cold War. The module will adopt the 'war and society' approach to this topic and so will focus on the social composition and combat effectiveness of the armies concerned, as well as the causes of the wars, civil-military relations and the various peace treaties. There will also be discussion of these wars at the strategic and operational level. This module will consider the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War, Wars of Italian and German Unification (including the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars), First World War, Spanish Civil War, Second World War and Cold War. Students will thus gain an overview of the wars which shaped modern Europe and will also gain some insights into political and economic change in this period.
Total contact hours: 40
Private study hours: 260
Total study hours: 300
Main assessment methods
Written Assessment 1 Plan 250 words 5%
Written Assessment 1 1,500 words 25%
Short Exercise 750 words or equivalent 15%
Written Assignment 2 1,500 words 25%
Group Thematic Project 2,000 words or equivalent 30%
Reassessment methods
Reassessment Instrument: 100% coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Understand the historiography and history of Europe at war, c. 1770-1990.
2 Demonstrate their critical and analytical skills, through a comparison of a wide range of armed forces, political systems and operational theatres.
3 Navigate the history and historiography of various wars in a comparative framework.
4 Practise an understanding of different historical approaches and degrees of bias as well as of the methodological complexities in the historical record itself.
5 Examine and evaluate primary sources, whether texts or images, and understand their context, strengths and limitations, and value.
9. The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Demonstrate analytical and reflective skills and the ability to express complex ideas and arguments using a variety of methods, skills which can be transferred to other areas of study and employment.
9.2 Deploy a variety of communication and, where appropriate, IT skills.
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