Programme aims
This innovative interdisciplinary MA draws on the expertise of scholars from across the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. Students will engage with diverse perspectives on war and conflict in the modern period, drawing on case studies from across the world. You will consider the effects of war on different scales, from the individual to the state and the local to the global, and on different groups. What did it mean to be a woman in the First World War – as a worker, grieving mother, or a combatant? How does psychological trauma and physical disability impact on veterans today? Why are some groups excluded from popular representations of war, and what happens when we bring them into the picture? In this MA, we focus on the human experience of war in different times and places, asking urgent questions about why societies go to war, the human costs of conflict, the political dimensions of memory – and how the past continues to shape the present today.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding of the field of war, culture and society.
A2: Demonstrate an ability to work across and between diverse disciplines.
A3: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of some key areas in the field of war, culture and society.
A4: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of a particular area of social and cultural history through an independent piece of research
Learning methods
Seminar, workshop, lecture, field trips support learning outcomes A1, A2, A3.
Supervised research for the dissertation supports learning outcome A4
Assessment methods
Essays, presentations, seminar participation, case study, critical reflections, dissertation support learning Outcomes A1, A2, A3.
The dissertation supports learning outcome A4
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: A student should be able to apply methods and research expertise from a range of disciplines to the study of war, culture and society.
B2: A student should be able to assemble information from a variety of sources, and discern and establish connections.
B3: A student should be able to synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary information.
B4: A student should be able to rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B5: A student should be able to critically evaluate the merits of conflicting arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.
B6: A student should be able to present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies and, where appropriate, propose new interpretations or hypotheses.
B7: A student should be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, or conflicting evidence, and communicate their conclusions clearly
B8: A student should be able to demonstrate independence of thought where appropriate.
B9: A student should be able to identify accurately issues which require researching.
Learning methods
Intellectual/cognitive skills B1-B9 are obtained through seminars, where there is an emphasis on group discussion and an analysis of original material and historical problems.
All skills are further developed by the course essays, other forms of written work, and the dissertation.
Skill B9 is fostered in particular through the dissertation, and student formulation of their own essay topics in consultation with the course tutor/supervisor.
Assessment methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are developed via essays, case studies, critical reflections, presentations, assessed seminar participation and the dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: A student should be able to identify, select and retrieve a wide range of relevant source material.
C2: A student should be able to design, use and reflect on various research and study techniques.
C3: A student should be able to interpret qualitative material.
C4: A student should be able to compose extended bibliographies, using relevant reference systems according to established conventions.
C5: A student should be able to design a substantial work of independent study.
C6: A student should be able to project plan, manage and complete a substantial work of independent study.
C7: A student should be able to identify, select and retrieve a range of primary source material, and/or relevant theoretical and methodological materials.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C5 are developed through research for the course essays, other written work, and dissertation, and by feedback and discussions with the tutors on written work.
They are also developed specifically through preparation for tutorials, and the medium of group interactive classes in HR935 (Research Methods).
Skills C2, C3, C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion.
Skills C1-C7 are developed via the dissertation.
Assessment methods
Practical skills C1-C3 are assessed through essays, case studies, other written work, presentations and assessed seminar work, and all the skills C1-C7 via the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: A student should be able to i) work with the English language proficiently in relation to matters pertinent to the historical discipline; ii) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner; iii) analyse materials that are complex and/or technical; iv) liaise directly with academic supervisors on the dissertation.
D2: A student should be able to use appropriate IT where relevant for research and presentation purposes (including searchable databases such as library catalogues and internet sources, and word processing).
D3: A student should be able to i) with limited guidance, to reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback; ii) to appreciate when s/he does not know enough and needs to undertake further research.
Learning methods
Key skills D1, D2, D3 are acquired through seminars and tutorials where students debate historical and other disciplinary issues and problems.
Skill D1 ii) can in addition be obtained through the University’s Academic Skills Online course at: https://moodle.essex.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=5143
Skills D1, D2, D3 will be learnt through writing assessed and formative coursework and consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions.
Skill D2 can be obtained in particular through preparation for seminars tutorials and the medium of group interactive classes in HR935 (Research Methods).
Assessment methods
Skills D1-D3 are assessed through essays, case studies, other written work, presentations, assessed seminar participation and the dissertation.