HST119: The Transformation of Britain, 1800 to the present
20 credits (semester 2)
Module Leader: Dr Julia Moses
| Module Summary |
This module explores the central political, social, economic, cultural and diplomatic developments that have transformed Britain since 1800. Unlike most of its European neighbours, Britain did not experience dramatic moments of revolution, constitution-building, invasion or military defeat; indeed the belief that the nation was set on a course of gradual evolutionary progress was central to many versions of British identity. This course examines how, when and why change occurred in Britain. Key themes include the transition to mass democracy; the impact of industrialisation; shifts in social relationships based on class, gender and ethnicity; and the rise and fall of Britain as an imperial power.
| Teaching |
The course will be taught through a series of twice-weekly lectures and weekly one-hour seminars. In addition to an introductory and a concluding session, there will be four blocks of five lectures, which will isolate and explore key political, social, economic, cultural and diplomatic transformations over approximately fifty-year periods. In the related seminars students will assess the significance of particular 'turning-points'.
| Assessment |
Two assessed essays. The word limit is 1500 to 2000 words, including footnotes, but excluding the bibliography. The marks for the essays will constitute 33% of the overall mark. A further 17% of your mark will be determined by your oral performance in seminars; your tutor will explain the marking criteria. The remaining 50% of your overall mark will be derived from a two-hour unseen examination to be taken during the examining period 21st May - 9th June 2012. You should note that you must pass both the coursework (essays plus oral assessment) and unseen examination components in order to pass overall. All assessment is subject to internal moderation.
| Selected Reading |
The following books provide good introductions to the period:
- Peter Clarke, Hope and Glory: Britain 1900-2000, 2nd edn. (London, 2004)
- Eric Evans, The Forging of the Modern State: Early Industrial Britain 1783-1870, 3rd edn. (London, 2001)
- Colin Matthew, (ed.), The Nineteenth Century: The British Isles 1815-1901 (Oxford, 2000)
- Martin Pugh, State and Society: British Political and Social History 1870-1997, 2nd edn. (London, 1999)
- Edward Royle, Modern Britain: A Social History 1750-1997, 2nd edn. (London, 1997)
| Intended Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the module, a candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- A broad understanding of the central political, social, economic, cultural and diplomatic developments that have transformed Britain since 1800.
- The ability to think constructively about the interaction of political, social, economic, cultural and international factors in patterns of historical change in Britain.
- The ability to identify the main historiographical interpretations of change in Britain.
- The ability to present material in seminars and participate intelligently in discussion with both the tutor and fellow students.
- The ability to write informed and coherent essays under pressure of time.