Module HIST56330: The Empire in British Politics 1890-1966

Department: History

HIST56330: The Empire in British Politics 1890-1966

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• HIST50130.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable students to study at an advanced level, the history of imperial issues in modern British politics which will thus 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 may include the nature of the 'new imperialism' of the late 19th century, the way the character of the Empire became a prominent and controversial issue in British domestic politics, the subject of heated debate between the parties, and an element in party doctrines. Long-term issues may be addressed in this module including the way empire became part of wider political culture, as material for moral compaigns and as a constituent of British identity and the way in which its dissolution after 1945 caused surprisingly little political dislocation.

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