HSY2840

Revolution, political development and social change in Britain, Russia and France, 1815-1914

Barbara Caine

8 points - Two lectures and one tutorial per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have developed a knowledge of recent historical literature on this period, a general understanding of some of the theoretical issues involved in thinking about concepts such as 'nationalism', 'liberalism', and 'socialism' in historical terms and a specific knowledge of their importance and meaning in this period, and an understanding of the nature of social, political and cultural history.

Synopsis This course will begin with a discussion of changing interpretations of the French and Industrial revolutions and a comparison of British, French and Russian society in the early 19th century. It will then explore a number of political and social developments in all three countries focussing on the form of government and of opposition to it. The differing involvement of each country in the Revolutions of 1848; as will their different responses to nationalism, liberalism and socialism, and to the emergence of a class. The final section of the course will deal with imperial expansion the lead up to the First World War. Questions about gender in relation to citizenship, class and ideas of national identity will be discussed. The subject will attempt to indicate the connections between major political and social developments and intellectual and cultural ones, focussing on some particular literary works.

Assessment Seminar discussion: (10 minutes) 10% - Tutorial paper (1500 words): 25% - Essay (3000 words): 35% - Examination (1.5 hours): 30%

Preliminary reading

Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Revolution
Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Empire

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