Course Catalogue

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This course explores the global impact of economic phenomenon and social change in the advanced economies from the First World War to the present day. It introduces students to major themes including the causes of economic growth and recession, the sources of social change, and the impact of war on society and the economy in an international framework. The course charts the crises of the inter-war period: the Great Depression, mass unemployment, and the rise of fascism and communism, as well as the development of mass leisure and the growth of a consumer society. The course also explores the prolonged boom following the Second World War, a time of conspicuous consumption but also of commitment to social welfare, both of which fuelled the sexual revolution and youth culture across national borders. The course then explores the impact of globalisation following the oil crisis of 1973 and subsequent instability, and looks at developing nations and environmental concerns in the later decades of the 20th century.

The emphasis on contemporary and international history enables students to understand the experience of their own society and economy more fully in the light of global and long-term trends. They will also be introduced to primary sources which are the basis for all historical knowledge.

Levels 1A and 1B are built around the same key themes: international economic relations, labour and the workplace, social order and conflict, gender and the family, leisure and consumption, migration and community; in Britain, Europe, the USA and Japan with some attention to other regions. The course content, tutorials and assessment allow for progression. However, they can also be taken as stand-alone courses.

Lectures: 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (25 lectures in total)

Tutorials: one hour weekly (weeks 1 - 10), allowing one week for a reading week

None

One essay (1500 words +/- 10%) = 30%
One source based assignment (750 words +/- 10%) = 20%

Exam - 50%

This course explores the global impact of economic phenomenon and social change in the advanced economies from the First World War to the present day. It introduces students to major themes including the causes of economic growth and recession, the sources of social change, and the impact of war on society and the economy in an international framework. The course charts the crises of the inter-war period: the Great Depression, mass unemployment, and the rise of fascism and communism, as well as the development of mass leisure and the growth of a consumer society. The course also explores the prolonged boom following the Second World War, a time of conspicuous consumption but also of commitment to social welfare, both of which fuelled the sexual revolution and youth culture across national borders. The course then explores the impact of globalisation following the oil crisis of 1973 and subsequent instability, and looks at developing nations and environmental concerns in the later decades of the 20th century.

The emphasis on contemporary and international history enables students to understand the experience of their own society and economy more fully in the light of global and long-term trends. They will also be introduced to primary sources which are the basis for all historical knowledge.

Levels 1A and 1B are built around the same key themes: international economic relations, labour and the workplace, social order and conflict, gender and the family, leisure and consumption, migration and community; in Britain, Europe, the USA and Japan with some attention to other regions. The course content, skills tutorials and assessment allow for progression. However, they can also be taken as stand-alone courses.

By the end of the course, both in their written work and in tutorial discussion, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of the main features of economic and social change from 1914 to 2008 at a national and international level

2. identify and assess the factors which encourage or retard economic growth in different national contexts

3. explain the relationship between social and economic change in the context of the Great Depression, the Second World War, postwar affluence, the oil crisis and de-industrialisation, and globalisation at the end of the twentieth century.

4. integrate analysis of gender, race and class into discussions of economic and social change

5. demonstrate ability to assess alternative explanations of key events in Economic and Social History with appropriate reference to the secondary literature and utilising relevant evidence

6. analyse primary sources relating to a key event in twentieth century Economic and Social History

Students are required to submit both pieces of coursework and to sit the final examination or, if appropriate, the resit examination.