Overview

This unit provides students with an overview of global history in the twentieth century. It focuses on the events and processes that transformed international relations, on the progressive establishment of a system of formally sovereign and internationally recognised independent states, and on the main crises that affected this consolidation. Students will gain an understanding of the key historical, social and political factors affecting international development.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Understand the key events in global history in the twentieth century
  2. Apply historical methods in evaluating competing claims
  3. Appreciate the role of perspective in the creation of history
  4. Demonstrate an ability to engage in debate

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Activities
Various		5.83 12 weeks 70
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		4.00 11 weeks 44
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class		1.00 4 weeks 4
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		12.17 12 weeks 146
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 25% 1,2,3 
Major EssayIndividual 45% 1,2,3,4 
Minor EssayIndividual 30% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Imperialism
  • WWI and the End of the Mulitinational Empires
  • The Soviet Revolution
  • The Great Depression
  • Fascism, and the Fall of the League of Nations
  • WWII and the Formation of the United Nations
  • Decolonisation 
  • The Cold War
  • The New World Order
  • The Fall of the New World Order

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.