World War 1: Changing Faces of Heroism
Learn how the war moved us away from traditional views of heroism and created new kinds of heroes and heroines.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
World War 1: Changing Faces of Heroism
Other courses you might like
This course isn't running right now. We can email you when it starts again, or check out these other courses you might like.
Browse more in Literature and History
Did World War 1 make heroism meaningless or was it the conflict that gave it the most meaning? We’ve designed this course in partnership with the BBC to help you explore, discuss and challenge the ways in which World War 1 heroism has been remembered. Our experts will take you through the changing British, French and German views of heroism and discuss important similarities and differences.
Through discussion and analysis of art, literature, film and television, guided by our experts, you will explore the portrayals of heroism before, during and after the war. Drawing on rarely seen archive, you will be curating a mini exhibition, exploring a war memorial and writing a review of a representation of war.
Together we will examine the changing faces of heroism, from distant figureheads and brave warriors to the ordinary “Tommy” and front-line nurses. The emergence of alternative hero figures, including anti-war campaigners and vulnerable, shell shocked soldiers, is also covered. We hope you will join the University of Leeds and the BBC in a fascinating reflection on the place of heroism, in the centenary commemorations of World War 1.
This course is part of a series designed in partnership with the BBC to commemorate the war.
- World War 1: Paris 1919 - A New World Order? (University of Glasgow)
- World War 1: Aviation Comes of Age (University of Birmingham)
- World War 1: Trauma and Memory (The Open University)
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
Who is the course for?
No previous knowledge or experience is required, just an interest in the war and how it has shaped culture and society in Britain, France and Germany over the last hundred years. You could be at school or college, working or retired. The course is designed to be flexible so you can study at a time and place convenient to you.
Who will you learn with?
A Professor of French Cultural History, my research focuses on French and British women and WW1. I lead a WW1 Centenary project called Legacies of War: arts.leeds.ac.uk/legaciesofwar
Who developed the course?
University of Leeds
As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.
Endorsers and supporters
content provided by
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
You can use the hashtag #FLheroism to talk about this course on social media.