Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module HIST56830: An imperial economy: Sudan, 1899-1955

Department: History

HIST56830: An imperial economy: Sudan, 1899-1955

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 an advanced level the economy of one particular imperial possession and to locate this example in the context of a wider literature on the economics of empire 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

  • The module will look at changes in the economy of Sudan under Condominium rule, and at aspects of the wider literature on the economy of the British empire, reflecting current debate on the subject, and the particular interests of the students.
  • Topics which may be covered include the production of raw staples - notably cotton - for the imperial economy; the extension of state control over the most lucrative exports; debates over the desirability of establishing processing or manufacturing industries; the impact of the revenue needs of the Condominium administration; conflicts between the aspirations of Sudanese entrepreneurs and the demands of the imperial economy; debates over labour and its control; and the impact of imperial ecomonics on ordinary Sudanese women and men.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should 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 the subject.
  • Students should acquire detailed knowledge and critical understanding of one topic chosen in conjuction 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 topic.
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