School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-30086 The English Civil War, c.1640-46  
Co-ordinator: Dr Ian Atherton    Room: CBB0.046, Tel:33205  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Dr Ian  Atherton, Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Prof Malcolm  Crook  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
History Dual Honours (Level 3)
History Major (Level 3)
History Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
None. Erasmus/Exchange students may be allowed to do Level 3 courses after interview with Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Description

The English civil war was one of the most dramatic events in English history, retaining its hold today over both popular and scholarly imaginations. Many issues of the period - such as the nature of the relationship between England, Scotland, and Ireland, the character of the political process, or what to do about the monarchy - find echoes today. This special subject will seek to explore the character and events of the first civil war in England from the collapse of the king&©s authority in 1640 to the end of the first civil war in 1646. Topics to be covered will include the causes of the war; the development of Royalist and Parliamentarian parties; the military course of the first civil war; the impact of the war on society; the diversity of religious beliefs; and the political fragmentation of the Parliamentarian cause.

This module is linked to the module, The World Turned Upside Down: the English Revolution, c.1646-53, which follows this. It may also be linked to the dissertation in History: there is a wealth of source material for a dissertation on the political, social, cultural, military or local history of mid seventeenth-century England available at Keele, including access to every book published in Britain in the period through Early English Books Online.
Aims
To introduce students to the political, social, religious, cultural and military history of the first English civil war, c.1640-6, and to enable students to analyse some of the sources used and debates produced by historians in explaining the war, its causes and some of its effects.
Intended Learning Outcomes
evaluate and discuss varying historiographical approaches to the English civil war will be achieved by assessments: 1
evaluate and critically assess a range of primary sources and use them appropriately in the development of historical analysis will be achieved by assessments: 2
discuss political, religious, social, and military change in England in the period c.1640-6 will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
reflect critically on the divisions between and within Royalism and Parliamentarianism will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Study hours
150 hours: 20 hours of seminars; 60 hours of seminar preparation; 40 hours researching and writing the historiographical review; 30 hours revising for and completing the exam
Description of Module Assessment
01: Book Review weighted 50%
Historiographical review
A c.2000-word historiographical review of either an important single work of history, a group of similar works, or a debate.
02: Seen Exam weighted 50%
Take-home gobbet exam
A take-home exam where students will have 24 hours in which to comment on and contextualise 3 documentary extracts drawn from a list of c. 10. Word limit: 2,000 words
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

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