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Module Catalogue

HI180-30 Britain in the Twentieth Century: A Social History

Department
History
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Simon Peplow
Credit value
30
Module duration
23 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This 30 CATS undergraduate first-year option module explores the history of Britain in the twentieth-century from a social history perspective. It pays special attention to the experiences and everyday lives of ‘the people’ rather than focusing on the actions of a powerful elite.

Module web page

Module aims

It introduces students to historiographical, methodological and political approaches associated with social history, such as ‘history from below’, labour history and the history of everyday life, critically examining them in light of feminist and postcolonial scholarship. It examines how gender, race and class united and divided ‘the British people’ and shaped British identity. It examines the roles of social change, war, Empire, culture, and politics in the construction of the nation. It considers the relationship between British identity and that of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom, and it concludes with examination of the roles of history and the heritage industry in the narration of the nation. Throughout the module students will be asked to reflect upon their own position as students living and studying in Britain, and how the past has shaped the world we live in today.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The course introduces students to the rapidly expanding body of historical work on twentieth-century Britain. Its focus is primarily cultural and social rather than political, and it considers the following themes:

  • the position of Empire in national life
  • the impact of the First World War
  • the role of mass forms of popular culture in a democratic age
  • changing gender roles
  • the impact of the Second World War
  • the extent to which the Welfare State changed the relationship between the people and the state
  • the changing shape and fortunes of the working class
  • the degree to which traditional values declined in the 1960s
  • immigration and race in post-war Britain
  • nationalism, Europe and the ‘break-up’ of Britain
  • the role of the heritage culture

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of historical and theoretical interpretations of Britain in the twentieth century, particularly regarding ideas of nation, gender, race and class.
  • Identify key historiographical debates and contributions to interpretations of Britain in the twentieth century
  • Identify and engage with key primary sources in British history, having gained experience of reading such documents for the meanings and evidence that they contain
  • Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills through the delivery of a presentation
  • Devise well-defined essay topics, construct their own bibliographies, collect relevant data from a variety of sources & present results in an effective fashion

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

The module makes heavy use of collections in the Modern Records Centre and students are supported in using the archive.

International

The module engages with Britain and the decline of its Empire.

Subject specific skills

See learning outcomes.

Transferable skills

See learning outcomes.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Tutorials 1 session of 2 hours (1%)
Other activity 2 hours (1%)
Private study 256 hours (85%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

History modules require students to undertake extensive independent research and reading to prepare for seminars and assessments. As a rough guide, students will be expected to read and prepare to comment on three substantial texts (articles or book chapters) for each seminar taking approximately 3 hours. Each assessment requires independent research, reading around 6-10 texts and writing and presenting the outcomes of this preparation in an essay, review, presentation or other related task.

Other activity description

Visit to Modern Records Centre

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Assignment 1: Oral Presentation 20% No
Reassessment component
1000 word reflection Yes (extension)
Assessment component
2000 word essay 30% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
3000 word essay 50% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment
  • written feedback on essay and exam cover sheets
  • student/tutor dialogues in one-to-one tutorials

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 1 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
  • Year 1 of UHIA-V100 Undergraduate History
  • Year 1 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
  • Year 1 of UHIA-VL13 Undergraduate History and Sociology