Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Content

Topics examine themes and case studies concerning the relationship between war and peace in different historical and regional contexts since the nineteenth century.

These themes include:  

Social, cultural, political and ethical dimensions of various conflicts over time.  

Specific topics considered here may include: 

·      the causes of war 

·      different forms of warfare  

·      gendered experiences of war

·      the home front in experiences of war

·      acts of genocide in histories of conflict 

Campaigns for peace, efforts to restrain war and efforts to achieve justice and reconciliation in its aftermath. 

Specific topics considered here may include: 

·      memorialisation and public memories of war;

·      the concept of treaties and conventions aimed to end or constrain war;  

·      disarmament campaigns and anti-war protests; calls for reparation or apologies from war criminals;

·      place of gender, religion and cultural identities in campaigns for peace and justice.

Active history theory and techniques 

·      Advanced techniques in locating and using primary and secondary sources  

·      Historical approaches to research and analysis used by social and cultural historians 

·      Examination of categories of analysis, including the concepts of war and peace

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit embraces active learning by taking the form of a face-to-face class containing activities through which students will:  

1) gain a deep understanding of the content covered in the unit.  

The active learning activities in this unit include reading, writing, discussion and problem-solving aimed at promoting analysis and synthesis of class content, paying particular attention to the dynamics of historical and ethical debate about relevant topics. Students will also use case studies to assist them in this process, exploring how what they have learned applies to real world situations.  

2) develop and hone skills fundamental to the discipline of history, including the development of methods for working with and interpreting primary sources; the ability to identify relevant and high-quality secondary sources and incorporate them into their own research and analysis; the ability to process extensive amounts of historical information and identify what is most relevant and valuable; and to communicate their findings in a style appropriate to their audience; and is written in their own words (does not use AI to generate text). 

This unit has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as lectures, tutorials, reading, reflection, discussion, film screenings, skills workshops, and assignments etc.