This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
Between 1815 and 1914 Britain engaged in only one European war. The Empire was, therefore, the most consistent and most continuous influence in shaping the army as an institution, in providing it with sustained exposure to warfare and in enabling it to develop and refine its professionalism as an institution. This module will examine various aspects of the British army's imperial experience in the period 1750-1920. The central focus will be on the campaigning in Africa and India, exploring how a relatively small number of British soldiers managed to gain and retain control of such vast territories and populations. Although the time period will run from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, the focus of the module will be on the Victorian and Edwardian periods, reflecting the current historiography on the topic. The extended date parameters will, however, allow for thematic studies of central issues such as army reform and civil-military relations to be placed in their wider chronological context.
Total contact hours: 30
Private study hours: 270
Total study hours: 300
Main assessment methods:
Essay 1 2500 words 25%
Essay 2 4000 words 40%
Thematic Timed Essay 1000 words 20%
Presentation 15-minutes 15%
Reassessment methods:
Reassessment Instrument: 100% coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages (https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html).
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the skills needed to understand, evaluate, contextualise and communicate effectively their knowledge of history.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the imperial campaigning of the British army in this period. In particular, the army's role in civil administration and policing as well as its purely military responsibilities and the impact the imperial experience had on the everyday lives of soldiers and the development of British army as a whole.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the disciplines of political, social and economic history and their various methodological approaches.
4. Access a range of sources of information and present the results.
5. Acquire skills of conceptualisation, reflexivity, critical thought and epistemological awareness.
6. Acquire knowledge and understanding of the past and particular aspects of the historiography and methodology, assisting them in other courses.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Develop a critical understanding of different historical approaches and degrees of bias as well as of the methodological complexities in the historical record itself.
2. Further develop analytical and reflective skills and the ability to express complex ideas and arguments, skills which can be transferred to other areas of study and employment.
3. Further develop communication, presentation and information technology skills.
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