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2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2293 Britain in the Shadow of the Second World War, 1938-1954

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Professor Richard Whiting
Email: r.c.whiting@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module traces the impact of the Second World War upon British society from the Munich Agreement in 1938 to the end of consumer rationing in 1954. Tracing the key developments that shaped everyday experience of the conflict, it will examine social, political and cultural legacies on the Home Front. With particular attention paid to the challenges of transition, it will explore the complex relationship between state and society by analysing the role of ordinary men and women in the national effort. To do so, students will be encouraged to engage with existing historiographical debates and undertake their own research with a select range of primary sources.

Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students should:
- Have an understanding of the key developments which shaped everyday experience of the Second World War in Britain;
- Be familiar with the most important historical writings on the period;
- Be able to express their ideas and arguments effectively in group discussions;
- Have further developed their essay writing and presentation skills;
- Be able to critically reflect upon their choice of evidence.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Identify and articulate the key developments which shaped everyday experience of the Second World War in Britain;
- Analyse the challenges posed by both wartime mobilisation and the transition from war to peace;
- Understand the ways in which ordinary people were integrated into national efforts;
- Better understand the relationship between political, social and cultural developments.

Syllabus

1. Introduction and overview
2. Politics and the 'Phoney War'
3. 'Victory at All Costs'
4. Constructing the 'People’s War'
5. War aims and social reconstruction
6. The 1945 General Election
7. Cynicism and the challenge of transition
8. Austerity Britain
9. Building a New Jerusalem
10. Relative decline on the world stage
11. Social memory and cultural legacies

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored via individual contributions to class discussions, a group presentation, an assessed exercise worth 10% of the overall module mark and an assessed essay worth 30% of the overall module mark.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words to be submitted by 12.00pm on Monday of teaching week 8	30.00
Report	500-word VLE exercise reflecting upon group presentation of research materials and reasons for choice	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

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 website

Last updated: 24/02/2014

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