School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-10033 Anglo-Saxon England  
Co-ordinator: Dr Nigel Tringham    Room: CBB0.061, Tel:33282  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Dr Nigel  Tringham, Dr Ian  Atherton, Mrs Christine  Edge, Dr Shalini Sharma, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

History Dual Honours (Level 1)
History Major (Level 1)
History Minor (Level 1)
History Single Honours (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

The history of Britain in period from the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West in the early 400s AD to the mid 900s witnessed the eventual, but not inevitable, creation (from several political units) of the twin kingdoms of England and Scotland, with residual native British rule in Wales.

Concentrating on the resultant Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England, the course discusses the ways in which migrant Germanic tribes gained political and cultural control of southern Britian and how their conversion from paganism to Christianity informed that process and led to the pervading influence of the new religion throughout society.

The Viking attacks of the mid 800s and consequent Scandinavian settlement, together with renewed invasion in the early 1000s, for a time brought England closer to Scandinavia, but that development was halted by the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Sources of information for the period are limited but cover a wide range (documentary, linguistic, archaeological, artistic), and so provide the student with challenging opportunities for analysis and interpretation. Moreover, many of the themes discussed in the lectures and seminars have a modern resonance, such as the effect of the collapse of empire, the impact of immigrants, and the role of religion.

The module is taught through linked weekly lectures and seminars, and makes use of a course text book as well as online sites.

Aims

To introduce first-year students to a crucial period in the creation of national, cultural, and political identities in Britain, in the period from the end of Roman rule in the early 400s AD to the Norman Conquest of 1066.

To advance students' knowledge and understanding of historical developments within the context of the consequences of the collapse of a supra-national empire and the impact on the native population of the arrival of Germanic (and later Scandinavian) immigrants.

To provide training in the critical assessment of a range of documentary and other sources of information.



Intended Learning Outcomes

acquire a broad understanding of the most significant political, social, and cultural developments in the history of Britain from the early 5th century to 1066 will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3, 4
make critical evaluation of different kinds of historical sources will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
relate events in a particular period of history to comparable ones in later periods, and to analyse differing historical explanations will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3


Study hours

10 lectures
10 seminars
30 seminar preparation
50 essay preparation and writing
50 portfolio exercises preparation and writing




Description of Module Assessment

01: Class Participation weighted 20%
Participation in seminars
Participation is assessed according to contribution as well as academic ability, considering evidence of preparation in response to set seminar topics, students' readiness to apply this preparation positively in class discussion and the quality of their contributions. It may involve group presentations on specific topics, preparing handouts or other visual materials, leading debates or commenting on others' contributions. Guidance for students is included in the History Student Handbook.

02: Essay weighted 40%
Essay of c. 2000 words
Essay (from multiple choice) relating directly to topics presented in lectures and discussed in seminars

03: Exercise weighted 40%
Two commentaries of c. 1000 words each
Two critical commentaries (out of choice of three) on the value/potential of different documentary and other sources relating to specific subject areas

04: No Formal Assessment
Questionnaire on aspects of period
Formative questionnaire (possibly to be on KLE) relating to basic factual elements of period of history under review


Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.