Module Identifier HY31620  
Module Title WAR & SOCIETY IN HISTORY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Richard G Coopey  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Dr Bjorn K U Weiler, Dr Sian H Nicholas, Dr Robert G Hughes, Dr Jeffrey L Davies, Dr David Ceri Jones  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   (3 x 2 hour seminars offered and students choose 2 from 3 seminars)  
  Lecture    
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours CLOSED EXAMINATION  70%
Semester Assessment 2 X 2,500 WORD ESSAYS 2 x 2,500 word essays30%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have:
knowledge of the history of war and its meaning to and effects upon society across a broad historical period.

knowledge of comparative perspectives of war and society.

an ability to read analyse and reflect critically on secondary and primary texts including a range of contemporary media.

an ability to develop and sustain historical arguments, orally (non-assessed) and in writing

an ability to gather and sift appropriate items of historical evidence

an ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to participate in group discussions (non-assessed)

Brief description

This survey module will offer students an overview of the development and meaning of warfare over a long period of history, from the ancient to the modern period. Students will encounter a broad range of interpretations of war and will examine a spectrum of dynamics, as they change and evolve historically. The module is thematic, within specific periods of history. Major questions raised include the origins and meaning of war and its relationship to politics, culture and economics; changes in the ways wars of fought, both in terms of strategy and tactics and in terms of technology and organisation; and the relationship between civil and military society and the changing relationship between war and society in general.

Aims

The module aims to provide students with a clear understanding of the complexity of war, in terms of its meaning, methods and impact on wider society. The module will confront a broad sweep of history in order to chart changes and continuities in the nature and impact of war and highlight comparative differences both between nations and regions and between different periods of history.

Content

1. Introduction

The meanings and impact of war
2. The ancient world.
3. The medieval and early modern world
4. The modern world
5. The contemporary world

The conduct of war.
6. The ancient world.
7. The medieval and early modern world
8. The modern world
9. The contemporary world

War and technological change.
10. The ancient world.
11. The medieval and early modern world
12. The modern world
13. The contemporary world

War and society.
14. The ancient world.
15. The medieval and early modern world
16. The modern world
17. The contemporary world

18. Conclusions

Seminars
1 War and Society in the ancient world
2 War and Society in the medieval and early modern world
3 War and Society in the modern and contemporary world

Module Skills

Problem solving Students will be expected to identify and respond to historical problems and carry out appropriate research before the seminars and before writing essays. This will be assessed as part of the assessment of the essays  
Research skills These skills will be developed through the research students are expected to carry out before the seminars and for the essays. This will be assessed as part of the assessment of the essays.  
Communication This skill will be developed through the two essays and the seminar discussions. This will be assessed as part of the essay assessment.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Essays will be returned in essay tutorials where advice will be given on improving students? research techniques and essay writing skills.  
Team work Students will work together in seminar preparation and discussion  
Information Technology Students will be encouraged to locate suitable material on the web and to access information on CD Roms and to apply it appropriately to their own work. Students will also be encouraged to word process their work. These skills will not be assessed formally.  
Application of Number Students will be presented with some statistical data during the lectures and the appropriate use of such statistics will form part of the assessment of the essays.  
Personal Development and Career planning This module will help develop written and oral skills. Other activities, including research, assessment of information and writing in a critical and clear manner, will further develop useful skills of analysis and presentation.  
Subject Specific Skills Critical historical skills  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
A. K. Goldsworthy (1998) The Roman Army at War 100 BC - AD 200
B. Campbell (2002) War and Society in Imperial Rome:31 BC to 284 AD
C. McInnes and G. Sheffield (eds) (1988) Warfare in the Twentieth Century
J. A. Lynn (ed.) (1993) Feeding Mars: Logistics in Western Warfare from the Middle Ages to the Present
J. Black (ed.) (2002) European Warfare 1815-2000
J. Dower (1986) War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War
J. France (1999) Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades, 1000-1300
M. Keen (ed.) (2002) Medieval Warfare. A History
M. van Creveld (2000) The Art of War. War and Military Thought
P. Fussell (1989) Wartime: Understanding and Behaviour in the 2nd World War
P. Paret (1986) The Makers of Modern Strategy
W.H. McNeill (1983) The Pursuit of Power: Technology, Armed Force and Society Since A.D. 1000

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6