Themes in the Long Eighteenth Century

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The conceptualisation of a ‘long’ eighteenth century
• Britain’s place in the world and how this was changing
• The factors that shaped peoples behaviours and experiences in the long eighteenth century

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate a coherent and convincing argument at length in written form
• Demonstrate the capacity for self-directed problem-solving, independent working and autonomous time-management

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop a historical argument from the study of primary sources and critical evaluation of secondary historical texts
• Conduct historical research into eighteenth century social and cultural history through the study of primary sources

The long eighteenth century ‘defies easy characterisation’ (F. O’Gorman) but is a fascinating period to explore Britain’s place in the world. In this module you will consider British social and cultural history between the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the early nineteenth century within the context of Empire building. An indicative list of themes you might examine on the module includes: ‘social hierarchies and mobility’, charity and philanthropy', 'gender and sexuality', 'politeness and impoliteness'. Each theme will be addressed through the close examination of a primary source and a critical discussion of the associated secondary literature.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

F. O'Gorman (2016). The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688-1832. Bloomsbury.

P. Langford (1992). A Polite and Commercial People: England 1727-1783. Oxford University Press.

P. Corfield (2023). Georgians: The Deeds and Misdeeds of Eighteenth Century Britain. Yale University Press.

K. Wilson (2002). The Island Race: Englishness, Empire and Gender in the Eighteenth Century. Routledge.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External