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HIS-20099 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

HIS-20099 - A Civilising Mission? The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Coordinator: Shalini Sharma Room: CBB1.060 Tel: +44 1782 7 33206
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

How do we explain empire in the modern world? Did empire improve the world, give it democracy and civilisation or did it consolidate and perpetuate global inequality? We will explore these questions by focusing on the British empire from its heyday in the 19th century through to decolonisation in the decades after the second world war. We will look at its origins in early capitalism and global warfare, then turn to the effects of empire on the colonised world and back home in the metropolis. We will explore how empire contributed to racial, ethnic, sexual and religious identities. And we will explore the enduring legacy of empire in our world today.

Aims
To analyse the infrastructure, mechanics and dynamics of Imperial rule; to explore a range of case studies which illustrate the different modes of Imperial action; and to evaluate imperial thought and ideologies during the colonial period, in order to advance students' historical and historiographical knowledge using a wide variety of primary and secondary sources.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse the political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of imperialism in the modern era: 1,2
demonstrate the ability to evaluate and use texts and other source materials, both critically and with empathy, while addressing questions of genre, content, perspective and purpose: 1,2
analyse how the histories of Africa and the Indian sub-Continent have been profoundly shaped by imperialism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: 1,2

Study hours

12 lectures, 12 whole cohort workshops, 12 seminars, 60 hours seminar preparation, 54 hours lecture consolidation and assessment preparation & completion

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Unseen Exam weighted 50%
Two questions in eight hours.
An unseen eight-hour take home examination in which students will have to answer two essay questions from a list of c.8 questions.

2: Portfolio weighted 50%
Portfolio
The portfolio of written work should be c. 2000 words in length (4 pieces of c.500 words), containing several pieces of reflection and analysis such as document commentary, book review, lecture commentary, short essay, to be set by the tutor.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022