Course Description
Britain in the age of the American War of Independence, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. Special attention will be paid to political culture, intellectual change, and economic development.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a more substantial research paper based on original materials.
Athena Title
Britain 1780-1900
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about British History by gathering and weighing of evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of Britain between 1780 and 1900 shaped social and cultural identities and attitudes toward class, gender, and religion and encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.
Topical Outline
- 1. Britain in 1780--Society, Empire, Economy, and the State 2. Impact of the American War 3. George III and the crisis of royal power 4. British response to the French Revolution 5. The French wars on the home front 6. Origins of the Industrial Revolution 7. Post-1815 Britain and difficulties of readjustment to peace 8. The Age of Reform--1830s 9. The Hungry Forties--Chartism and the Irish Famine 10. Victorianism and the Great Exhibition 11. The Liberal Ascendancy 12. Gladstone, Disraeli, and Victorian Politics and Economy 13. Darwin and the Impact of Science 14. Imperialism and foreign policy after 1850 15. Crisis in Ireland--Home Rule, Parnell, and Repression 16. Economy and Society at Century's End
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
