Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Britain, perhaps more than any other country, has been the motor behind the creation of the modern world. Its empire devised the world economic system and its culture and language have come to dominate the globalisation of the twenty-first century. And yet for Britain, the twentieth century has been a time of slow erosion. From its unquestioned world leadership in the nineteenth century it has become one player among others in a globe dominated by the USA. However, notwithstanding this role reassessment, it has nevertheless been at the forefront of many of the most important political, social and cultural developments of the twentieth century. From its crucial role in both World Wars, to the way in which the postcolonial order was reconstructed in the era of the Cold War; from democracy to Princess Diana, from the Welfare State to Thatcherite neo-liberalism, from George Orwell to the Beatles, from soccer to miniskirts, from penicillin to the BBC, from racism to cultural plurality, from mass emigration to mass tourism, Britain has always been a dynamic instigator of what constitutes the contradictory world in which we live.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the History major sequence
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and assess the basic methodological characteristics of the history discipline through the study of twentieth-century British history and historiography; (2) identify and evaluate methodological problems in the interpretation of twentieth-century British history; (3) gain and demonstrate detailed knowledge of some of the major developments experienced by Britain in the years covered by the unit; (4) locate and use a range of historical sources for researching and writing a major essay; (5) relate their independent interpretations to the complex historiographical debates concerning British twentieth-century history; and (6) present advanced arguments concerning twentieth-century British history in both written and oral assessments using the conventions of the historical discipline.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation; (2) written assignments; and (3) test. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Giuseppe Finaldi
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- a Level 2 History unit
or EURO2201 European Civilisation
or GEND2902 Men and Masculinities in History - Incompatibility
- HIST2245 Britain in the Twentieth Century
- Contact hours
- 2 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.