What will I learn on this module?
This module tackles one overarching question: how did individuals, groups and associations try to change the world? In order to answer this question, you will examine political campaigns in the 19th/20th centuries and thus learn about key historical issues such as peace, justice and equality.
• PEACE. You will learn about efforts to avert the First World War, protests against nuclear weapons during the Cold War as well as the international movement against the Vietnam War.
• JUSTICE. You will examine how people fought for a fairer world – from campaigns against slavery and colonial atrocities in the age of empire to the promotion of human rights since 1945.
• EQUALITY. You will consider different quests for equality, covering issues such as women’s emancipation, workers’ rights and the struggle against racism.
The module covers a range of different developments, for instance international socialism and communism in the early 20th century, student protests in the 1960s, and ‘green’ activism since the 1970s. None of these phenomena were confined to one country – and you will therefore invited to consider the links between Britain, mainland Europe, the USA, and the wider world.
By focusing on individual cases, each session offers detailed insights into the ways that activists promoted their aims. You will be able to examine the methods of different groups and assess their relative failure or success.
How will I learn on this module?
The module is divided into two major parts. The first part looks at activism in the period up to the Second World War, while the second part deals with campaigns since 1945.
Each week, there will be three hours of scheduled teaching for this module, comprising an interactive lecture, source analysis, group work and seminar discussions. You will be expected to prepare for the weekly seminars by the set reading, which is made available via the online reading lists and the eLearning portal. You will build on your independent reading by presenting your ideas and arguments in seminar discussions with your peers. You will be responsible for your own guided and independent learning but will receive feedback and further support from the module tutor. Summative assessment matches your learning against the learning outcomes for the module.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your academic development will be supported through the module tutor, engagement with your peers and through your programme leader. Your module tutor will offer tutorials, both for the preparation of your assignments and for feedback. In addition, you will also be able to see the module tutor (for instance in the publicised feedback and consultation hours) and to raise questions via email. Your peers will provide you with a collaborative learning environment, and your programme leader will guide you through the requirements and expectations of your course. You will also be supported through individual engagement with the academic literature, lectures, and resources available on the eLearning Portal. Feedback will be ongoing throughout seminar activities and through assessment tasks.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Display an advanced understanding of research on the history of political activism, covering developments both before and after the Second World War.
2. Demonstrate your ability to look beyond individual countries by organising your enquiry along international, transnational or comparative lines.
3. Display in-depth knowledge of transnational movements, their transformations and the challenges that they faced.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Display mastery of various transferable skills (e.g. synthesis of current scholarship, analysis and interpretation of evidence, the communication of your findings, research, citation).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the nature of (and challenges for) political activism, including its role in different national/cultural contexts.
How will I be assessed?
You will write two essays of 3,000 words each. The essay questions are set by the tutor. One of them will cover the period up to 1945, while the second one deals with events since the Second World War (MLOs1, 4, 5). Both assignments require you to look beyond individual countries (MLO 2).
Assignment 2 breaks down into two sections – a discussion of a broader question and a section in which you will share your findings on one particular movement that you researched (MLO 3).
You will have the opportunity to present your work in the seminars and will receive formative feedback from your lecturer in classroom discussions, debates, and tutorial sessions. Formative assessment through your lecturer will be written and verbal, and you will also receive feedback through engagement with your peers. Feedback on your first summative assessment will allow you to improve on later ones.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code V100
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Humanities
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2023 or September 2024
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.
Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.
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