Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 X 1 HOUR LECTURE PER WEEK |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 1 x fortnightly seminar |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 X 2,500 WORD ESSAY | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours 1 X 2 HOUR CLOSED EXAMINATION | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 2 Hours 1 X 2 HOUR CLOSED EXAMINATION PLUS MISSING WRITTEN WORK | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Understand and critically assess a corpus of historical knowledge concerning the political and social history of modern Wales.
Understand the main factors which influenced Welsh society in the period under study, including internal forces and external factors such as the British context and global change.
Read and evaluate different types of historical sources, focusing on secondary literature.
Express understanding with increasing fluency and maturity, and discuss relevant matters within an academic context.
Work independently and collaboratively, and take part in group discussions (not formally assessed)
Brief description
Beginning by tracing the economic and social changes of the second half of the nineteenth century, the module will give students the opportunity to study an exciting period with far-reaching economic, social and political ramifications. The module will study the successive hegemony of the Liberal and Labour parties over Welsh politics, together with the role of popular movements such as radical Nonconformity, the movement for women's suffrage, trade unionism, and nationalist groups. There will also be an opportunity to study how the British context and global factors have influenced politics and society in Wales
Aims
This module aims to give a succinct introduction to Welsh political and social history between 1850 and 1997. The module will also give students opportunities to discuss issues of continuity and change, ideology and identity, and should provide a strong foundation for the study of Welsh history in years two and three.
Content
2. Boom time.
Economic and social change in 19th century Wales
3. A Tolerant Nation?
Urbanisation, Migration and Crime
4. Them and Us.
The press, religion and politics up to 1868
5. Land of `glorified grocers'.
Landlords, the Tithe War and Cymru Fydd. Politics and identity in the late 19th century.
6. The Petty Antics of the Bell-Ringing Boisterous Band.
Feminism and women's suffrage
7. The Great Unrest.
Trade Unions and the Rise of Labour
8. A Blast from the Past?
The Great Revival of 1904-5.
9. Wales at War.
From Boer War to Great War, 1900-1918
10. Aftermath.
1919, social tension, and the General Strike.
11. The Locust Years.
Wales and the Great Depression
12. As Dead as the Druids?
Plaid Cymru, Penyberth, and Nationalism between the wars
13. A One-Party State?
Labour's domination of Welsh politics
14. The Death of King Coal.
Nationalisation, diversification and Thatcherism: the Welsh economy since 1945
15. Out of the Shadows.
Women in Wales after 1945
16. Remember Tryweryn.
Water and nationalist politics.
17. By Revolutionary Means.
The fate of the Welsh language, protest and direct action
18. A Process Not an Event.
Devolution between 1964 and 1997
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | Read within different contexts and for different purposes; listen effectively; write effectively for different purposes and audiences |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Show awareness of learning techniques, personal needs and preferences, and obstacles to learning; design and execute realistic learning strategies. |
| Information Technology | Make use of a number of common word-processing software packages; control information storage systems; use internet effectively and appropriately |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Develop an awareness of personal skills, attributes and attitudes; plan and prepare for future career. |
| Problem solving | Note problems, note factors which could influence possible solutions; develop independent mindset towards problem-solving; evaluate advantages and disadvantages of possible solutions. |
| Research skills | Understand a range of research techniques; design and execute research; produce appropriate academic report. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Develop a firm foundation of knowledge of main themes in the historiography of modern Wales. |
| Team work | Understand the concept of group dynamic; contribute to group target-setting and to planning group activities; take an active role in group activities; practice skills of discussion and persuasion. |
Reading List
Recommended TextBeddoe, Deirdre. (2000.) Out of the shadows :a history of women in twentieth-century Wales /Deirdre Beddoe. University of Wales Press Primo search Cragoe, Matthew (2004) Culture, Politics and National Identity in Wales, 1832-1886 Oxford University Press Primo search Davies, John (1990.) Hanes Cymru /John Davies. Allen Lane The Penguin Press Primo search Evans, D. Gareth (1989 (various p) A history of Wales, 1815-1906/D.Gareth Evans University of Wales Press Primo search Evans, D. Gareth (2000.) A history of Wales, 1906-2000 /D. Gareth Evans. University of Wales Press Primo search Francis, Hywel (March 1998) The Fed:A History of South Wales Miners in the Twentieth Century University of Wales Press Primo search Hopkins, Deian (Sept. 2000) The Labour Party in Wales, 1900-2000 University of Wales Press Primo search Jones, R. Merfyn (Nov. 1999) Cymru 2000:Hanes Cymru Yn Yr Ugeinfed Ganrif Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru Primo search Morgan, Kenneth O. (1995) Modern Wales: Politics, Places and People University of Wales Press Primo search Morgan, Kenneth O. (1981) Rebirth of a Nation: Wales 1880-1980 University of Wales Press Primo search Osmond, John (ed.) (1985) The National Question Again:Welsh political identity in the 1980's Llandysul : Gomer Primo search Phillips, Dylan (1998) Trwy Ddulliau Chwyldro? hanes Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, 1962-1992 Llandysul : Gwasg Gomer Primo search Williams, Chris. (1998.) Capitalism, community and conflict :the South Wales coalfield, 1898-1947 /Chris Williams. University of Wales Press Primo search Williams, Gwyn A. (1985 (various p) When was Wales? :a history of the Welsh /Gwyn A. Williams. Penguin Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4