Of interest and value to students of history, politics, international relations and economics, this L6 option module examines offers a comparative historical perspective on twentieth British, American and world affairs. That century was of immense significance for both countries. At its outset Britain, with a worldwide empire, appeared to be the primary global power. At century's end (and with the demise of the Soviet Union), it had been supplanted by the United States. Now, in the twenty-first century, there is speculation as to whether and for how long American primacy may endure. The prospect of American 'decline' is currently a source of anxiety among American policymakers. Historians have identified many reasons for American ascendancy and British ‘decline' during the period 1900-2000. Were these two phenomena related, closely or otherwise? The answer to that question is by no means straightforward. Vitally important as were internal social and political changes, study of relations between the two countries – and of their relations to other states and nations – also provides us with insight into the scale and nature of historical change on a global scale. Focusing on key case studies in twentieth century British, American and international history the module provides stimulating study into issues of power and 'decline'.
The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and two essay workshops. Guest lecturers will provide additional expertise and insight on particular topics. There will be extensive use of source material, visual as well as text-based, with particular emphasis on contemporary press reports, photography and documentary and newsreel film footage. StudySpace will feature digitised documents and links to learning resources in the LRC and on the internet.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | 23 one-hour lectures | 23 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | 21 one-hour seminars | 21 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | 2 one-hour workshops | 2 |
Guided independent study | Guided independent study | 254 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The module is assessed summatively by means of two 2,000-word essays, one at the mid-point of the module and one at the end of the module. Summative assessment tests students' comprehension of major historical themes, ability to critically historiography, sources, and understanding of the causes and significance of important aspects of British, American and international history. Formative assessment figures throughout the module in seminars and essay workshops. Feedback and feed-forward enables students to check their knowledge and understanding and to monitor their progress through means such as documentary source analysis and reviews of historical literature.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of twentieth century British and American history, in the context of international and world affairs | Assessed formatively through seminar-based discussion, analysis, feedback and feed-forward; and summatively through essays |
Appreciate the interaction of ideas, opinion, power and policy in terms of relations between Britain and the United States | Assessed formatively through seminar-based discussion, analysis, feedback and feed-forward; and summatively through essays |
Critically compare and contrast the historical experiences of Britain and the United States | Assessed formatively through seminar-based discussion, analysis, feedback and feed-forward; and summatively through essays |
Show how historiography and key historical sources contribute to knowledge and understanding of British, American and world affairs | Assessed formatively through seminar-based discussion, analysis, feedback and feed-forward; and summatively through essays |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | In-course Essay | 50 |
CWK | End-course Essay | 50 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Lundestad, G (2012). The Rise and Decline of the American 'Empire': Power and its Limits in Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press.
Reynolds, D (2000). Britannia Overruled. Longman.
Berman, M. (2011). Why America Failed: The Roots of Imperial Decline. Wiley.
Brendon, P (2010). The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997. Vintage.
Burk, K (2007). Old World, New World: The Story of Britain and America. Little, Brown.
Ellwood, D (2012). The Shock of America: Europe and the Challenge of the Century. Oxford University Press.
Hodgson, G (2006). More Equal than Others: America from Nixon to the New Century. Princeton University Press.
Kennedy, DM (2001). Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945. Oxford University Press.
Kennedy, P (1989). The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. Vintage.
Ovendale, R (1998). Anglo-American Relations in the Twentieth Century. Macmillan.
Patterson, JT (1997). Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974. Oxford University Press.
Schama, S (2008). The American Future: A History. Bodley Head.
Young, JW (1997). Britain and the World in the Twentieth Century. Arnold.