Undergraduate Course: Edinburgh: City of History (LLLE08002)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course explores the history of Scotland's capital city, from the Iron Age to the present. Based in Edinburgh's historic centre, close to the iconic castle and Scottish parliament building, and the National Museum, Galleries and Library, the course will make extensive use of the city's sites and collections. We will cover topics such as national identity, wars and trade, the arts and education, affluence and oppression, industry and poverty. Students will develop research skills and an understanding of historical themes and concepts, while studying the history and context of this ancient and remarkable city. |
| Course description |
Academic Description
This intensive course uses the city of Edinburgh as a lens through which to study a broad range of historical themes and contexts, and to develop students' historical research and study skills. We will work closely with original written and material sources, including privileged access to some of the city's unique collections, and including evidence such as medieval manuscripts, objects in museums, historic buildings and paintings. Through these sources, we will look at the cultural, economic, social and political history of Edinburgh from the earliest known settlements to the present day, via classroom activities focused on nurturing student-led analysis and discussion of sources and key themes.
Course Content
The course will look at Edinburgh throughout its history, focusing on a particular theme for each time period. Starting with Iron and Bronze Age and Roman evidence, we will consider how evidence from earliest records can be used before moving on to explore the making of a city and kingdom in the medieval period. The course will cover Edinburgh's genesis into a capital city, and centre of trade, arts and also conflict; the development of the New Town will be considered along with influence of Georgian grandeur, empire and slavery. We will examine Edinburgh's role as a centre for education and the Enlightenment, along with the contrasting affluence and poverty accompanying industrial development. The course will finish by considering Edinburgh in recent times, home of the Scottish Parliament and renowned for its summer festivals, as we discuss ideas of independence and culture, and what makes a city's identity today.
Student Learning Experience
The course will be taught in the classroom and on fieldtrips to city museums, galleries, libraries and historic sites. Students with mobility issues or additional needs should make the Centre for Open Learning aware so that arrangements can be made. Wherever possible, we will choose venues that are wheelchair accessible. Teaching will be a combination of informal lecture, large- and small-group discussion, and expert input at city collections. Students will be expected to prepare for each class with specific focus on a secondary or primary source, including physical and digital resources. Participants will engage actively in learning by preparing source analyses to be presented in class or submitted via discussion forum. These exercises will provide feedback to be fed forward for the final assessment.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Assess the development of Edinburgh, from initial settlement to the present day.
- Analyse the history of Edinburgh across a range of themes encompassing its social, economic, political and cultural past, and place the city in the context of the wider world.
- Evaluate a wide range of primary sources including written and material, demonstrating how these sources inform about the past.
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Reading List
Essential
Edwards, B. and Jenkins, P. (2005), Edinburgh: the Making of a Capital City. Edinburgh: EUP.
Fry, M. (2010) Edinburgh: A History of the City. London: Macmillan.
Recommended
Arnot, H. (1788) The History of Edinburgh from the earliest accounts to the present time. London: William Creech.
Fleet, C. and MacCannell, D. (2018) Edinburgh: Mapping the City. Edinburgh: Birlinn
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Close source analysis.
Critical thinking.
Oral and written discussion of complex ideas.
Independent academic thought.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sally Crumplin
Tel:
Email: Sally.Crumplin@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
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