History (Summer School) module (SS03008)

This will introduce you to the study of History.

The main focus will be on the settlement and development of colonies in America by Britain. This ranges from the first attempts at colonisation in the 16th century to the American Revolution in the late 18th century.

The module will focus on several key themes including:

• exploration
• migration
• race
• slavery
• revolution

You will explore how Britain's experience fits in with the development of other European colonial empires. You will also explore the involvement of Scots in America.

What you will learn:

In this module, you will:

• understand what History is, and how it is studied
• be aware of various kinds of historical sources
• develop the ability to read a variety of sources effectively
• understand issues of historical methodology and debates
• explore some of the key forces that shaped the development of England, Scotland and Britain’s involvement in the Americas

By the end of the module you should be able to:

• understand the key forces that shaped the development of Britain’s Atlantic empire
• have a grounding in the key transferable skills they will need at the University
• been introduced to different approaches to the study of the past
• been introduced to several important historical debates
• understand attitudes and ideas in the past different from our own

Assignments / assessment

• essay (50%)
• 3 x journal entries (35%)
• 10 minute oral presentation (15%)

Teaching methods / timetable

5 hours of live classes per week. The class will involve lectures and interactive tutorials with group work

1. An Introduction to History and the Module
2. Origins and Early Settlement
3. Life in the Empire
4. Race, Revolution & Legacy