World War Two was the greatest conflict in history. An estimated 60 million men, women and children died in a war that engulfed the globe and shaped the world in which we live. It was the defining event in the history of the twentieth century. This comparative, transnational survey will focus on the political, social and cultural aspects of this conflict, and working with diverse historical materials and perspectives. It will deal with the war in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, addressing topics including: German and Japanese war aims; Blitzkrieg in Poland and France; propaganda, civilian mobilisation and total war; allied leadership, co-operation and division; civilians under occupation (collaboration and resistance) and the experience of prisoners of war; racial policies and genocide; wartime intelligence and espionage; the debates over mass bombing and recourse to atomic weapons; and concepts of post-war reconstruction and the emergence of new international institutions. We will survey the contexts and legacies of the war, and evaluate its enduring historical significance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- understand the history of the Second World War, its origins, its course and its outcomes;
- understand the major controversies and moral debates surrounding the Second World War;
- understand the different models of interpretation that have been used to explain key aspects of the Second World War;
- critically analyse primary and secondary sources, identify bias and possible omission, and assess the relevance of information to the particular topic under discussion, using the basic skills of historical inquiry and historical analysis; and
- apply evidence and theory, formulate arguments and express their views in both oral and written form.
Other Information
This course can be counted towards a Contemporary Europe, International Relations or History major and is a designated course for the BA (European Studies).
Indicative Assessment
Tutorial participation (10%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]One 1,000 word essay (20%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5]
One 3,000 word case study essay (40%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5]
A three-hour examination (30%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Evan Mawdsley, World War II: A New History (Cambridge)
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8004 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
