Many social theorists argue that the prospect of 'endless war' will be an abiding feature of the 21st century. Terms such as 'securitisation' and 'militarisation' are increasingly used to describe the condition of contemporary societies, whether or not their armed forces are engaged in combat and/or 'peacekeeping' roles in other parts of the world. As the lines between 'war' and 'peace' become increasingly blurred through the idea of the 'war on terror' and so-called 'hybrid' wars, the impact of past and present wars on our social imaginaries can often remain hidden or unexamined in the study of key sociological and criminological themes.
This module aims to encourage students to develop a critical awareness of the ways in which war, militarism and militarisation influence contemporary social relations and culture. Taking the UK as a primary case study in a variety of comparative contexts, this module will explore the effects of war in shaping nationhood, identity, class, gender, race, culture and citizenship in postcolonial European societies. The focus will be largely on civil societies and noncombatants although the political, social and cultural aspects of military institutions will be a significant component.
While the module will be based within a sociological and criminological framework, a variety of disciplinary and methodological approaches will be used, including cultural history, social policy, visual analysis, media studies, gender studies, postcolonial studies and citizenship studies.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be taught through a series of lectures and seminars and the primary source material will be made available. Lectures will introduce students to key concepts and arguments while the seminars will provide an opportunity to engage with and analyse a range of cultural materials (film, photography, media, art) in addition to primary documents and secondary literature.
The module will also entail at least one field trip and students will be asked to submit critical reflections on this experience.
Students will occasionally be asked to work in groups during seminars and given the opportunity to make group presentations. Guidance on planning and presenting topics verbally will be provided by the module leader.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 hours lectures 22 hours workshops Field trips | 22 22 10 |
| Guided independent study | Guided independent study | 246 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment strategy for this module is designed to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of key theoretical terms and research methodologies. It also seeks to enable students to engage in critical thinking, to develop their debating skills within the group, and to communicate the results of their research in verbal and written forms.
Summative assessment:
1) A 400 word critical analysis of an article or book chapter relating to the topic
2) A 1200 word critical reflection on a topic covered in Teaching Block 1
3) A 2,000 word extended essay on a topic covered in Teaching Block 2, either chosen from a list of essay questions provided by module leader, or on a topic agreed with module leader.
Formative assessment:
Students will be formatively assessed with written and verbal feedback through the following activities:
1) Writing draft critical analyses of an article or book chapter
2) Giving a presentation during seminars
3) Writing an essay plan
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Understand terms such as militarism, militarisation and engage in scholarly criticism of these terms. | Formatively assessed through seminar discussion and draft literature analysis Summatively assessed by critical analysis of literature and the essay |
| Understand the changing significance of military service and its link to citizenship, both from a historical perspective and in comparative terms | Formatively assessed by draft literature analysis and discussion in seminars |
| Analyse and critique a range of different cultural practices associated with war and war remembrance, including contemporary practices and debates | Formatively assessed though seminar activities, incuding field trips and museum visits Summatively assessed through the critical reflection essay |
| Engage critically with the role that war histories and myths play in nationalism and the social imagination | Formatively assessed through essays and seminar activities, including field trips and museum visits. Summatively assessed by critical analysis of literature and the essay |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| CWK | 400 word literature analysis | 20% |
| CWK | 1200 word critical reflection | 30% |
| CWK | 2000 word 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.
Cowen, D. E. 'The soldier and social citizenship', In Recasting the Social in Citizenship Engin F. Isin ed. (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008).
Enloe, C. H. Maneuvers: The international politics of militarizing women's lives, (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000).
Lutz, C. 'Making War at Home in the United States: Militarization and the Current Crisis', American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 104, No. 3, September, 2002, pp. 723-735.
Mosse, G. Fallen Soldiers: Reshaping the memory of the World Wars, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990).
Neocleous, M. War Power, Police Power, (Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2014).
Shapiro, M. J. 'The Presence of War: 'Here and Elsewhere'. International Political Sociology 5, 2011, pp. 109-125.
Shaw, M. The New Western Way of War: Risk-Transfer War and its Crisis in Iraq, (London: Polity, 2005).