HIST339-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

The First World War: Total War in Europe

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

The First World War is often described as a total war. Between 1914 and 1918 over 9 million combatants were killed and European nations deliberately targeted civilians for attack. Governments gave themselves extraordinary powers over people’s lives as they tried to turn whole societies, economies and cultures to the war effort. The results of this ranged from social and political reform to revolution, genocide and the collapse of empires. Students will explore the war’s impacts on the people of Europe, investigating its origins; military, political and social developments; and the legacies of both peace diplomacy and war cultures. Focusing primarily on Britain, France and Germany, this course asks how the experience and endurance of total war affected Europe, and what this meant for the modern world.

Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of the course, you will be expected to demonstrate:
  • A detailed knowledge of the diplomatic, military, political and social history of the First World War in Europe.
  • A strong knowledge of the main historiographical debates in the field, coupled with more detailed knowledge of at least one specific debate pertaining to the First World War.
  • An ability to engage critically with these debates and to form independent views.
  • An ability to thoroughly analyse and interpret primary sources.
  • An ability to form cogent interpretations of the most important historical developments of the First World War.
  • An ability to answer broader questions about the role of the First World War in shaping European politics, society, international relations and culture in the twentieth century.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Any 30 points at 200 level from HIST, or
any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 F3 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 11:00 - 12:00 Psychology - Sociology 252 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 239
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun

Timetable Note

Please note that all lectures for this course are recorded via the Echo system and are available to view online within a day of the live performance. Flexibility is thus available in case of a timetable clash for lectures.

Course Coordinator

David Monger

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Essay 1 20%
Essay 2 20%
Tutorial participation 10%
Presentation 10%
Final exam 40%


Please check the course Learn page for further details and updates.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,788.00

International fee $8,200.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All HIST339 Occurrences

  • HIST339-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025