Key facts

Course details for 2009 cohort
Level 1  -  12 credits  -  autumn term

E-learning links

Study Direct: L2007 (09/10)

Resources

Timetable Link
Course Handbook 09/10

Course description

Course outline

Today we take it for granted that the peoples and governments of the world are linked in a single international system. Yet it was only during ‘the long nineteenth century’ that, for the first time in history, a truly ‘world’ politics began to emerge. This course examines how this came about by reviewing some major events and process of international history in the period from 1789 to 1914. It begins with the international impact of the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, and moves on to the formation of nation-states in Europe and outside. It analyses the role played by Great Britain in organising the Victorian international system, as well as the occupation of the non-European world by European imperialism.
Finally, the course reflects upon the combination of factors which caused this ‘long nineteenth century’ to end in the carnage of the Great War. At the same time, by looking at some of the major controversies which historians have had about how to understand these events, the course also raises key questions about the nature of historical knowledge itself.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will have:
1. Acquired knowledge of the key themes and problems involved in the study of international history;
2. Developed a broad overview of key events in the rise of a worldwide international order during `the long nineteenth century’;
3. Engaged with some of the central controversies which historians have had over how to interpret these events;
4. Developed further the intellectual, practical and transferable skills encouraged by the mode of teaching delivery and assessment.

Assessments

Resit mode of assessment

Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

Teaching methods

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Contact details

Mr Zdenek Kavan

Assess convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/justice/profile1451.html

Dr Justin Rosenberg

Assess convenor, Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ir/profile102452.html