Module HIST56230: Imagining 'race' in Britain 1783-1914

Department: History

HIST56230: Imagining 'race' in Britain 1783-1914

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• HIST50130.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable students to study at an advanced level, the history of some of the cultural and intellectual understandings of 'race' in Britain in the nineteenth century which will enable students to acquire specific learning outcomes of the programme as whole including:
• a specialist knowledge of imperial history
• bibliographic skills
• an understanding of historical debates
• advanced skills in writing history
• general skills of the historian

Content

• This module will cover selected aspects of the history of the British empire in British politics reflecting current debate on the subject, and the particular interests of the student. Topics covered will include the representation of those people(s) deemed to be racially different in the long nineteenth century through looking both at intellectual debate and cultural encounters; the transition from an essentially benevolent view of other peoples to a more scientifically grounded idea of racism; and such issues as the anti-slavery debate, the experience of racial 'others' in Britain, the representation of the Irish, the debate on the American civil war, the impact of Darwinism, and the emergence of racist science.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should build up a critical understanding of the history of this aspect of imperial history and should become aware of other boundaries of current knowledge relating to the subject.
• Students should acquire detailed knowledge and critical understanding of one topic chosen in conjunction with the supervisor.

• 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 topic.

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

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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