The War Studies major at the ANU explores the causes, conduct and consequences of warfare. Founded on the study of history it embraces the insights offered by other fields including: political science, international relations, cultural and gender studies and law. Beyond traditional military history, it considers war’s complexity as a political, military, social and cultural phenomenon with profound and diverse influences and effects.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Understand and evaluate the key theories, ideas, concepts and approaches to the study of war,
2. Identify and critique the causes, conduct, consequences, and ethics of war on states, societies and cultures,
3. Analyse the political, military, social, cultural, and ethical impacts of war in their regional and global contexts,
4. Understand the processes and disciplinary approaches through which current knowledge about the causes, conduct, and consequences of warfare has developed.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units from the following courses:
24 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| WARS1001 | War in the Modern World, 1789 to today | 6 |
| WARS1003 | War and Society in Modern History | 6 |
| WARS2001 | Theories of War: An historical and global perspective | 6 |
| HIST3007 | Making History | 6 |
A minimum of 12 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HIST2214 | The Great War, 1914-1918 | 6 |
| HIST2136 | World at War, 1939-1945 | 6 |
| WARS2004 | War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific | 6 |
| HIST2141 | The Cold War: 1945-1989 | 6 |
| WARS2003 | The Korean War | 6 |
| WARS2002 | The Vietnam Wars: 1941-1989 | 6 |
A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH2130 | Violence and Terror | 6 |
| ARTH2082 | Art, War and Conflict | 6 |
| ASIA3029 | Reconciliation and the memory of conflict in Asia | 6 |
| GEND2021 | Trauma, Memory and Culture | 6 |
| HIST1209 | Terror to Terrorism: A History | 6 |
| HIST2226 | Nazi Germany | 6 |
| HIST2236 | Debating Anzac | 6 |
| POLS3033 | Environment, Human Security and Conflict | 6 |
| STST2131 | Security Communities from War to Peace | 6 |
| WARS3001 | Walking the Ground: War Studies in the Field | 6 |
