Total War: World War II

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will focus on the second total war of the twentieth century and will explore questions about the causes of armed conflict, the nature of total war, and some of the consequences (social, economic, cultural and political) of total war for modern European and global history. Among the topics which we will examine this semester are the following: the situation of Europe and Japan after World War I, the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, interwar diplomacy and its failure to preserve peace, the origins of WWII in Asia and Europe, the barbarisation of warfare, the home front experiences in the conditions of total war, the Holocaust, and the legacy of total war.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• demonstrate a general knowledge of the principal figures and significant events of World War II;
• understand the concept of total war and its impact on politics, society, economics and culture;
• gain an understanding of some of the historiographical arguments on topics related to World War II and the practice of total war;
• be able to analyse primary and secondary sources in constructing historical arguments;
• demonstrate research skills using printed and electronic sources in preparation of a critical primary source analysis;
• develop skills of critical thinking through group discussion of subject readings and preparation of written assessment.

A 2000 word primary document analysis, 50% (due mid-semester) and a two-hour final written exam 50% (during exam period).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

World War II. A New History by Evan Mawdsley (Cambridge University Press, 2009)

Subject readings will be available online

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.