HIS-20069 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The module explores British history from the Reformation, through the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (or British civil wars) of the mid seventeenth century, to the Act of Union of 1707 and the beginnings of an overseas empire. Since much of what is called 'British' history is in fact the history of England, or even of London and the south-east, the module examines the 'new British history' and its approaches to 'Britain' and 'British history' as complex and contested concepts. The focus is on two troubled centuries when a British state emerged through English dominance over Wales, Ireland and Scotland, Celtic nations struggled to maintain a sense of history and identity, and a 'British' empire began to develop overseas. These developments are central to many current debates, not least Scottish and Welsh devolution, Brexit, and the constitutional place of Ulster within Britain and Ireland.
Key textbooks for the module are:
Patrick Collinson (ed.), The Sixteenth Century (Short Oxford History of the British Isles, 2002)
Derek Hirst, Dominion: England and its Island Neighbours 1500-1707 (2012)
David Lawrence Smith, A History of the Modern British Isles. The Double Crown 1603-1707 (1998).

To explore debates over the complex and contested notion of British history by analyzing a crucial period for the development of the British state and the British empire. To advance students' historical knowledge and skills using a variety of sources.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the history of the British Isles between c. 1530 and c. 1720, particularly the main developments in the history of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and the empire, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.: Explain the history of the British Isles between c. 1530 and c. 1720, particularly the main developments in the history of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and the empire, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.: 1,2
Analyse debates about the development of national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish) in the period.: Analyse debates about the development of national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish) in the period.: 1,2
Evaluate the extent to which a British identity developed in the period.: Evaluate the extent to which a British identity developed in the period.: 1,2
Evaluate scholarly debates in the contested notions of Britain and 'British' history.: Evaluate scholarly debates in the contested notions of Britain and 'British' history.: 1,2
Analyse the connections between historical debate and current political controversies.: Analyse the connections between historical debate and current political controversies.: 2
Present ideas fluently and cogently in written form: 1,2

Study hours

10 hours of lectures, 10 hours of seminars, 50 hours seminar preparation, 45 hours essay preparation, 35 hours review preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment