Instructor: Ian Wereley
Introduction: This course will survey the history of modern Britain from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century, focusing on the major social, cultural, political, and economic processes that shaped the country and its people over the period. The course begins in 1680 with the Industrial Revolution and ends in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Students will explore this four hundred year history through a series of focused investigations into the development of Britain’s industrial economy and global system of trade, the social class structure and its influences on daily life, the evolution of regional identities and nationalisms, and the many experiences of conflict and war. In particular, this course will use the theme of energy as a vehicle for engaging with these histories, tracing the ways in which the use of wind, water, wood, coal, oil, nuclear, and renewable sources of power have defined British ways of living and interacting with the world.
Class Format: The course will consist of two one-hour lectures per week, and one hour-long discussion group session. In the discussion groups, students will engage with a variety of primary and secondary source materials in an open and collaborative environment, facilitated by a Teaching Assistant. These sessions will also provide an opportunity to develop research and writing skills, and to share ideas about course assignments and projects.
Assessment: The final grade for the course will be based upon three components: attendance and participation in discussion groups, a mid-term examination, and a major research project due at the end of the term. There will be no final examination in this course.
Readings: There is no textbook for this course. All readings will be available online and through the MacOdrum Library, and are designed to enhance students’ ability to navigate digital databases, to locate and retrieve materials online, and to conduct research at the library.
Aims & Goals: After successfully completing this course, students will have gained an excellent understanding of the many facets of modern British history. In addition, students will leave with a stronger command of the different historiographical approaches that have shaped the interpretation of Britain’s past, as well as the wide range of primary and secondary sources that are available to researchers. Perhaps most importantly, students will have the opportunity to improve their skills in researching and writing major assignments, critical thinking, document analysis, and peer-to-peer communication.
If you have any questions about the course, please do not hesitate to email me: Ian_Wereley@Carleton.ca