Course Catalogue

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In the wake of the European Enlightenment, the developing discipline of science became both an important way of classifying and understanding the natural world, and a powerful instrument for justifying empire. This course explores how French, British and American imperialism shaped ideas about mankind's history from the nineteenth century through to the period of decolonisation. Students will become familiar with key ethnographers and anthropologists from these countries and the museums whose collections they built. They will learn about the relationship between these researchers and colonial administration, and engage with relevant anti-colonial and anti-racist critiques of ethnographic practices and their legacies.

10 x 1 hour lectures and 10 x 1 hour seminars weekly as scheduled in MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into History, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

N/A

Research Essay (3,000 words) 60%

Report: Source Analysis (1,000 words) 40%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Develop an understanding of the relationship between French, British and American imperialism and scientific practice, particularly in relation to museum practices of collection and exhibition; 

■ Evaluate how changing understandings of race, class, gender and empire shaped scientific enquiry from the nineteenth century to the period of decolonisation;

■ critically engage with relevant historiographical debates; 

■ Analyse a wide range of primary sources from personal correspondence and published scientific articles through museum exhibition catalogues and artefacts;

■ Develop the confidence and skills required in writing convincing arguments for both historical research and future employment.

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

■ Explain key developments in French, British and American ethnographic and museum practices between 1850-1970; 

■ Explain the relationship between French, British and American ethnographic and museum practice between 1850-1970;

■ Critically analyse primary sources and relate them to key historiographical readings to produce convincing historical arguments. 

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