Economic & Social History 2B: Britain Since 1914 ESH2002

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 2 (SCQF level 8)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course explores the important economic and social developments that characterised industrialisation and its aftermath in Great Britain and Ireland from the First World War until the early twenty-first century. In lectures and the weekly, small-group seminars, we will emphasise the importance of discussion, debates and interpretation of events, and encourage the growth of the skills and techniques associated with historical and social science investigation.

Timetable

Lectures: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 3pm.

Seminars: weekly, including one session on the qualitative source project.

Requirements of Entry

20 credits at D or above in one Level 1 course in Economic & Social History, History (Arts), or Economics.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

One essay of 2000 words (35%)

One Qualitative Source Project of 1500 words (35%)

One Source-Based Assignment of 1000 words (30%)

Course Aims

The course aims to introduce key debates and trends in the society and economy of Britain and Ireland and relationships with global developments between the outbreak of the First World War to the twenty-first century highlighting the diversity of experiences across England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales and in different demographic groups. The course aims to provide students with experience of using a range of relevant historical literature and quantitative and qualitative primary sources and the opportunity to develop academic writing, analysis and communication skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economic and social change in Britain and Ireland over the period 1914 to the present day;

2. Evidence critical understanding of key concepts, theories and terminologies in economic and social history as related to Britain and Ireland and their relationship with global change;

3. Demonstrate an understanding of relationships of power, inequality and welfare with reference to gender, race, social class and sexuality;

4. Interrogate qualitative primary sources to understand their importance in the process of historical explanation;

5. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills in deploying primary and secondary sources to support clear and reasoned arguments in writing and discussion.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components of the course's summative assessment.