Module HIST42830: The Wealth of Nations

Department: History

HIST42830: The Wealth of Nations

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• to enable students to gain an advanced understanding of debates and approaches in economic and social history, focusing on Britain and Europe from the middle ages to the modern period.

Content

• This module introduces students to the historical debates on a range of problems and topics including: the medieval to early modern transition; commercialisation; demography; industrialisation and the industrial revolution; towns and the countryside; standards of living; debt, credit & finance. Students will be able to focus on one or more of these topics in their coursework, but will be expected to engage with the full range through oral presentations and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

• advanced knowledge and understanding of debates and approaches in the economic and social history of Britain and Europe.

• Subject specific skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

• Key skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

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

• Student learning is facilitated by a range of teaching methods.
• Seminars and Group Discussion require students to reflect on and discuss: their prior knowledge and experience; set reading of secondary and, where appropriate, primary readings; information provided during the session. They provide a forum in which to assess and comment critically on the findings of others, defend their conclusions in a reasoned setting, and advance their knowledge and understanding of the social and economic history of Britain and Europe from the middle ages.
• Structured reading requires students to focus on set materials integral to the knowledge and understanding of the module. It specifically enables the acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills which will be discussed in other areas of the teaching and learning experience.
• Assessment is by means of a 5000 word essay which requires the acquisition and application of advanced knowledge and understanding of an aspect of the social and economic history of Britain and/or Europe. Essays require a sustained and coherent argument in defence of a hypothesis, and must be presented in a clearly written and structured form, and with appropriate apparatus.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments delivered orally and discussed in a group context.

■ 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