HIST2221 The Birth of Modernity: Britain 1688-1848

Later Year Course

Offered By	School of History
Academic Career	Undergraduate
Course Subject	History
Offered in	Second Semester, 2012
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	A series of major transformations took place in Britain between the end of the seventeenth century and the middle of the nineteenth century. This period saw the rise of a global empire, the beginning of an industrial revolution and the emergence of new forms of politics, culture and social life. This course examines a process by which many British people came to believe, during this era, that they were living in a fundamentally new kind of society and it investigates a range of responses to that belief. The course helps participants to develop a critical and historical perspective on major contemporary issues: from globalization and market relations, to models of social development, principles of politics and theories of the modern state. It will encourage debate about the origins and character of early 'modernity' in Britain and its relationship to broader patterns of social change.
Learning Outcomes	The unit introduces issues central to the history of Britain and to that of the modern world. It will help students to develop their intellectual resources in three major ways: by increasing knowledge and understanding of key issues relating to the development of Britain as an industrial, commercial and democratic polity and as a world power by introducing students to important conceptual issues in the study of change in modern societies by relating history to present-day debates Students can expect to develop their skills in the following areas: research technique document and image analysis critical thinking argument formation narrative and analytical writing oral presentation
Indicative Assessment	An essay of 1,500 words (35%); an essay of 3,000 words (55%); and tutorial participation (10%).
Workload	One lecture (1.5 hours) and one tutorial (1 hour) per week for thirteen weeks. Lectures will be recorded.
Areas of Interest	History
Requisite Statement	Prerequisite: completion of two courses (12 units) in History at first-year level or with permission of the convenor
Preliminary Reading	P. Langford, A Polite and Commercial People: England 1727-1783, (Oxford University, 1989 (new edition 1998)).
Majors/Specialisations	History and European History
Academic Contact	Dr Cook

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