UNDERGRADUATE MODULE OFFERINGS 2012-13
School of History and Anthropology
Module code HIS2019
Module title The Making of Modern Britain, 1850-1914
MODULE CONVENOR: Dr Sean O’Connell
TEACHING STAFF: Professor Keith Jeffery, Dr Paul Corthorn, Dr Sean O’Connell
ESTIMATED COURSE SIZE: 80-90
COURSE CONTENTS
The course examines key debates in British history between 1850 and 1914. It
provides grounding in political, economic, social and cultural history. Its main focus
in on domestic matters, but it also examines the impact of Empire on British politics
and society. The standard lecture pattern across the module is for two lectures a week,
with the first lecture examining the social and cultural history of a core theme and the
second examining the political history of the same theme.
Topics explored include:
The rise of mass politics
Urbanisation
Industrialisation
The development of social classes
Gender
Leisure and popular culture
Religion
Britishness
GOALS & SKILLS:
The module aims are
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
To provide an appreciation of the broad trends in British History, 18501914
To offer students a grasp of relevant historiographical debates
To enable student to develop further their writing and communication
skills
To increase students’ familiarity with a range of historical sources
On completion of the module students will be able to
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of British history, 1850-1914
Examine key historiographical debates relating to modern Britain
Assemble and synthesise relevant material from the secondary sources in
written and oral form
Evaluate historical sources critically
Work in a group, negotiate research tasks, and deliver a presentation.
TEACHING CONTACT HOURS: (i.e. two hour lectures and one hour tutorial, or
one and one half hour lecture, one and one half hour tutorial, etc.)
Two lectures per week (2 hours)
One tutorial per week (1 hour)
Preparation and reading (9 hours)
MODULE ASSESSMENT
Tutorial contributions (10%)
Group presentation (10%)
Essay (30%)
Exam (50%)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (OPTIONAL)