Last modified: 30 Jul 2026 12:16
This course normally examines the history of the First World War in an international comparative perspective through detailed study of contemporary as well as secondary sources, with sub-groups focusing on a specific country.
In 2026/27 there will be one sub-group only, with a maximum of 25 students, and it will be focused on the war experience of Russia. Following an introductory lecture, the classes will be used to help you design and complete an individual research project on a topic of your choosing.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
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| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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The First World War brought to an end the longest period of peace in Europe that the continent had hitherto witnessed. The American diplomat and academic George F. Kennan thus, for a good reason, famously labelled the war as the seminal catastrophe of the twentieth century. The Great War heralded the bloodiest thirty-year period, at least in absolute terms, in human history. None of our lives would be the same, had there been no First World War. In 2026/27 this course offers students an opportunity to study the place of the war in the 20th century with specific reference to Russia. How did the war come about? Why did it last so long? How were the people involved in it affected by the conflict? How did so many soldiers continue fighting for such a long time? What political, social, and cultural transformations did the war bring with it?
Following introductory lecture material on the Russian experience of the war, the classes will be used to help you design and complete an individual research project on a topic of your choosing in just the same way as will be required, on a bigger scale, for the final-year dissertation.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
A 2,000-word annotated bibliography worth 40% of the overall grade. Written feedback to each student; individual meeting on request. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
A 3,500-word essay worth 60% of the overall grade. Written feedback to each student; individual meeting on request. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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