Wars have regularly changed the course of human history. Examining conflict and its impact on society is vital if we are to understand the world around us. This module is aimed toward challenging students to think critically about global conflict in the post-1945 era. It focuses on the Cold War, which dominated international life in the second half of the twentieth century. There will be a large emphasis on tackling the different ways that historians have interpreted the conflict, and how the Cold War intersected with the process of decolonization in the Global South. However, students will have the opportunity to explore primary sources, too, in order to form their own assessments and arguments. Part of the course will also be devoted to the study of conflict resolution, examining the history of diplomacy, and negotiation between states.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the Cold War dominated international life. The geopolitical and ideological struggle between America and the Soviet Union encompassed every continent, and helped shape the contemporary world. But how did the conflict begin, and why did it escalate? Why, having lasted for more than four decades, did it end so abruptly? This module will explore the roots of the conflict, and how the East-West rivalry escalated into a wider global competition divided between capitalist and socialist camps. Students will investigate the relationship between the Cold War and decolonization, superpower interventions in the Global South, the nuclear arms race, and the emergence of human rights norms. The module will also examine the major historiographical debates about the Cold War, drawing upon recently declassified archival material from across the globe. Students will have the opportunity to assess and interpret a wide range of primary sources, deriving directly from original research.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: - demonstrate broad knowledge of the Global Cold War and a capacity to effectively tackle different thematic frameworks - understand the principle primary sources available for the Cold War era, circa 1945-1991 - critically evaluate the key primary and secondary sources in the research area - consider the impact, intended and unintended, of historical change and continuity - critically assess different historiographical trends - use primary sources to construct their own arguments and interpretations

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: - display an appreciation of the importance of social, cultural and, political change - appreciate the complexity of the past - display an appreciation of how nations have been affected by war in different ways - appreciate the importance of conflict resolution and diplomacy between states

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

This module will be delivered in the form of a weekly seminar, where students will be active participants in their learning, considering primary and secondary literature, as well as being introduced to the key concepts, methods, and approaches to the research topic. The module will bring the historian's personal expertise and scholarship into the classroom. By engaging with the materials, content, assessment, and ideas provided in the module, students become articulate, knowledgeable and collaborative. Students will be introduced to the recent international archival findings on the Cold War era--many of which are readily accessible online--and the historiographical debates which have subsequently emerged.