Brief description
This course will introduce students to the social and political history of twentieth -century Britain by an in-depth study of Britain during the Great War. It will consider the reasons behind Britain's involvement in the war and outline the main features of the military conflict. It will then focus primarily on the social and political history of the period : the military, industrial and political mobilisation of the nation towards 'total war', and the ways in which the war affected ordinary civilian life. Specifics topics to be covered will include the rise of Lloyd George to the Premiership, the wartime industrial unrest in Scotland and Wales, the impact of the war on the lives of British women, and the enduring legacy of the 'lost generation'. Comparison will also be made between the British experience of the Great War and that of the other major belligerents, France, Germany, Russia and the USA. Throughout the semester, students will be encouraged to evaluate the 'war and social change' thesis propounded by Marwick and others, and the course will end by assessing the extent to which the Great War marked a 'watershed' in modern British history.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will have command over a body of historical knowledge in the field of early twentieth century social, political, cultural and military history, and an understanding of the variety of historical approaches (including `war studies?) used to interpret the impact of the First World War on British society. They will be able to read, analyse and reflect critically on selected historical texts, develop and sustain historical arguments, gather and evaluate a wide range of historical evidence relating to the experience of Britain and the British people at war 1914-1918. They will have an ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to participate in group discussions.