British First World War Studies – (M.A.)

The First World War, or Great War, has been described as `the seminal event of the twentieth century´. In Britain the war is often regarded as the worst event in our history. The dominant perception is still captured by A.J.P.Taylor´s famous phrase `brave, helpless soldiers; blundering, obstinate generals; nothing achieved´.

The purpose, conduct and outcome of the First World War are inevitably compared to its disadvantage with those of the Second World War, what Studs Terkel called `the good war´, the inevitable and heroic struggle against evil and tyranny, a morality tale with a happy ending. At the root of these perceptions are, of course, the scale of the First World War´s casualties, which were unprecedented and - happily - remain unique in British history.

It is the casualties that make the war so fascinating and appalling. Even before the guns ceased firing there were attempts to explain how such a human catastrophe came about and why the scale of loss was so great. Popular explanations have often seemed content with blaming the quality of military leadership - especially British military leadership. This MA programme rests on the belief that a tragedy as great as the First World War deserves less superficial analysis.

There are many MA programmes in `war studies´. We believe that this programme is unique in its focus on the Great War. It provides an opportunity to study in depth this most compelling and controversial conflict. It focuses on the challenges posed by the war to the British state, the British army and British society and of the evolving ways in which these challenges were met - or not met.