Transcript title

War Society 1914-1945

Credits

4

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

40

Lecture hours

40

Course Description

Surveys the cultural, social, political, and military history of the world in the era of the major world wars, 1914 to 1945. Offers a wide-ranging description and analysis of the First World War, interwar period, and Second World War, their global impacts and legacies. Combines military history with political, social, and cultural approaches.

Course learning outcomes

1. Develop a historical perspective by demonstrating knowledge of context and chronology.
2. Analyze primary historical evidence from 1914-1945.
3. Identify historical arguments found in secondary sources about the period 1914-1945.
4. Construct an historical argument in a written essay about the period 1914-45.
5. Challenge shared assumptions and cultural stereotypes through discussion, written and oral means.
6. Identify the chronology and construct a narrative about the 20th century world wars era.
7. Identify geographical context of historical events in the mid 20th century world wars era.
8. Analyze cultural and artistic output from the period 1914-1945 in literature, music, art, film and other forms.

Content outline

1. 19th and Early 20th Century Background
2. Crisis of 1914, Eastern, Western, and Global WWI Fronts
3. Culture and Society of the WWI era; Dissent
4. Russian Revolution, Treaty of Versailles, and Aftermath
5. The Interwar Period and Great Depression in Europe, US, and East Asia
6. Rise of Fascism
7. WWII in Europe to 1942
8. Pearl Harbor and The Pacific Campaign to 1944
9. Daily Life, Culture, and Society 1939-45
10. Atrocities, Genocide, and the Holocaust
11. Endgames in Pacific and Europe, 1943-45,
12. Atomic Bomb
13. Costs and Legacies the World Wars

Required materials

Required textbook.

General education/Related instruction lists

• Cultural Literacy
• Arts and Letters