Radicals And Reformers In Britain 1760-1832 (HI0024)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-RRB

In this course students will learn why the British political and constitutional (and to a lesser extent social) system had considerable support from a majority of the propertied elite during these decades, but even more why it came in for increasing criticism (both moderate and radical) from a growing body of middle and lower class opposition; how this opposition was organised; what arguments it developed; and what pressure it put on the elite until the Great Reform Bill was finally passed in 1832. It is largely a study of extra-parliamentary politics in all parts of the British Isles and in the ideologies and organisations which sustained the campaigns for parliamentary reform.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass in any first level historical course and any second level historical course or equivalent. Visiting students should normally have 3 to 4 History courses at Grade B or above. Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure that a place is available (tel. 503783).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Subject Knowledge: In this course I hope students will learn why the British political and constitutional (and to a lesser extent social) system had considerable support from a majority of the propertied elite during these decades, but even more why it came in for increasing criticism (both moderate and radical) from a growing body of middle and lower class opposition; how this opposition was organised; what arguments it developed; and what pressure it put on the elite until the Great Reform Bill was finally passed in 1832.
2. Historical Skills: I expect students to be acquainted not simply with the basic information on these issues, but with how evidence is gathered by scholars; why the evidence is sometimes uncertain and contradictory; and how historians have debated the major issues and have legitimately come up with different interpretations. The lectures seek to provide the basis for an understanding of these issues and private reading adds to this, but it is in the seminar discussions that students bring to bear the results of their own reading and discuss with each other the differing arguments and interpretations, and conflicting evidence they have found.