The Material Culture of Gender in Eighteenth Century Britain (P01247)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-MCGECB

This course provides an advanced analysis of the material and visual cultures of gender in Britain in the eighteenth century; it builds on themes introduced in the course 'Britain and America in the 18th Century: Material and Visual Cultures', including key themes and methodologies associated with the study of gender in a historical context. It is designed as an in-depth preparation for dissertation research. Teaching (11 sessions) is based on set reading and small-group tutorial discussion. Contemporary testimony - based on diaries, journals and letters - is a particular focus for reading and analysis. Themes include theories and methodologies of gender and material culture; gender, space and the city; comfort and the home; country houses and masculinity; style and taste; the gendered consumer; material culture and the cult of politeness; emotions and the social life of things; sexual boundaries and clothing.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the material cultures of gender in eighteenth century Britain at a level that provides a foundation for future independent research. In particular, the course seeks:

- to provide a foundation awareness of the theoretical and methodological issues that underpin the study of material cultures of gender in past times.
- to provide an introduction to the types of sources that are used in such studies, including, in particular, material and visual sources and personal testimonies
- to encourage the student's ability to read and contextualize challenging research-based texts.
- to provide an opportunity for small group discussion, including the ability to direct such discussion.
- to enable students to make effective use of library and IT resources.
- to provide an opportunity for a sustained piece of critical writing on a theme arising from the course.
- to facilitate the transition towards in-depth research in the field for those students who wish to undertake a dissertation on some aspect of gender and material culture in eighteenth century Britain.

Assessment Information

One 3000 word essay on a theme agreed with the Course Organiser, or a piece of work as specified by the programme.

FOR HISTORY MSC BY RESEARCH (MODE C): Additional to the above, one 2500 word dissertation proposal.