HIST 255 - The British Empire

1 unit(s)

This course is an introduction to British imperialism from the mid-eighteenth century to the twenty-first century, with particular attention to imperial encounters involving Britain, the Atlantic world, South Asia, and Africa. The main theme of the course is the way in which historical constructions of gender, race, and class not only aided in the establishment of imperial control, but also influenced subsequent imperial and national identities. We examine British motives for imperialism, the transition from trade empires to more formal political control, the late nineteenth-century “Scramble for Africa,” decolonization, and the long campaign for civil rights in Britain. Students engage current historical debates, practice the skills of historical analysis, and produce a final research paper on a topic of choice. Lydia Murdoch

Two 75-minute periods.

Not offered in 2022/23.

Course Format: CLS