2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
HIST3750 Canada, America and the Origins of the Cold War 1945 - 49
40 creditsClass Size: 16
Module manager: Dr M Thornton
Email: m.thornton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
To analyse how and why the Cold War developed as the dominant factor in international politics in the early post-war period. To further develop written skills and skills in oral presentation.Skills outcomes
Further enhances Common Skills listed below:
High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.
Plus:
Skills in interpretation and analysis of complex documentary-based material.
Syllabus
The years covered are those between the Yalta Conference of 1945 when the wartime 'Big Three' Alliance still seemed in tact and the Berlin Blockage of 1948-49, which hardened the divisions between the West and the Soviet Union and left the 1950s as a decade of uncompromising rivalry between the Communist and Western blocs. The various schools of thought on the origins of the Cold War will be considered and much time devoted to North American actors in the drama.
BA-International History and Politics students will have priority for places on this module.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 22 | 2.00 | 44.00 |
| Private study hours | 356.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400.00 | ||
Private study
Exam preparation; researching, preparing, and writing assignments; undertaking set reading; and self-directed reading around the topic.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Contributions to class discussions, two assessed exercises, an exercise or exercises worth 10% of module marks.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Oral Presentation | Format to be determined by tutor. | 10.00 |
| Essay | 3,000 word written exercise or equivalent to be submitted by 12noon on Friday of the second week of the January examination period. | 20.00 |
| Essay | 3,000 word written exercise or equivalent to be submitted by 12noon on Monday of the May revision week. | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
10% oral presentation is redone with `an equivalent written exercise¿
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 14/12/2007
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