Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module HIST55930: The British Colonial Rule I

Department: History

HIST55930: The British Colonial Rule I

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • HIST50130

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to study at an advanced level the history of government in the British empire which will enable students to acquire specific learning outcomes of the programme as whole including:
  • a specialist knowledge of imperial history
  • bibliography skills
  • an understanding of historical debates
  • advanced skills in writing history
  • general skills of the historian

Content

  • The module will cover selected aspects of the history of the British Empire in relation to colonial government, reflecting current debate on the subject, and the particular interests of the student. Topics may include the formation of the colonial state, involving the Colonial Office, the colonial administration, non-governmental interest groups, legislative councils and (in some cases) white settlers. Other topics may include the co-option of indigenous authority figures and specific case studies of these processes in particular colonial territories.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be build up a critical understanding of the history of this aspect of imperial rule and should become aware of the boundaries of current knowledge relating to the subject.
  • Students should be acquire detailed knowledge and critical understanding of one topic chosen in conjunction with the supervisor.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should be able to undertake a programme of intensive reading directed at a number of topics.
  • Students should be able to participate in regular discussion of issues arising from the reading with their supervisor.
  • Students should then be able to produce an extensive piece of writing on this agreed subject.
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Tutorials 5 Fortnightly 1.5 7.5
    Other: Unscheduled meetings as requested by the student. Variable Variable Up to a total of 2.5 hrs 2.5
    Preparation & Reading 290
    Total 300

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Essay 5000 words 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Discussion of work in progress. Written or oral comments on any other agreed written assignment, such as a book review or exploratory essay. In addition, supervisors will normally read and provide written comments on not more than one draft of work being prepared for summative assessment.


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University