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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2120 Environment and environmentalism in Britain, c. 1750-1972

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Dr Malcolm Chase
Email: M.S.Chase@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module examines the concept of environmental history; industrial revolution, energy and natural resources; population growth, urbanisation and the environment; evolving attitudes to the natural world in Britain, 1750-1910; the development of nature conservation in Britain, 1894-1972; the rise of political ecologism; the organic movement; landscape and Englishness in the twentieth century; pollution and its control; agricultural change c. 1900-1972 and ecological imperialism. Throughout the module, close consideration will be given to the concept of environmental change (both natural and human-induced) as a historical process rather than as a static backdrop to historical events.

Objectives

On completion of this module students

- should have acquired a broad understanding of the ways in which environmental issues have impacted upon British history since circa 1750, and of the impact of economic and social developments upon the environment;
- should be able to demonstrate an informed and critical understanding of the evolution of environmental concerns ('environmentalism') and relate these to relevant social and political developments within the same period;
- will have a general command of the principal methodological and ideological issues involved in the modern historiography of the field;
- will have encountered some indicative contemporary sources for the study of environmentalism.

Skills outcomes
Enhances Common Skills listed below:

High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.


Syllabus

The concept of environmental history
Industrial revolution, energy and natural resources
Population growth, urbanisation and the environment
Evolving attitudes to the natural world in Britain, 1750-1910
The development of nature conservation in Britain, 1894-1972
The rise of political ecologism
The organic movement
Landscape and Englishness in the twentieth century
Pollution and its control
Agricultural change c. 1900-1972
Ecological imperialism

Throughout the module, close consideration will be given to the concept of environmental change (both natural and human-induced) as a historical process rather than as a static backdrop to historical events.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Tutorial61.006.00
Private study hours183.00
Total Contact hours17.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Exam preparation; researching, preparing, and writing assignments; undertaking set reading; and self-directed reading around the topic.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contributions to class discussions, an assessed coursework book worth 10% of module marks, an assessed essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,000 word assessed essay to be handed in by 12 noon Friday of teaching week 730.00
In-course AssessmentAssessed coursework book10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2009

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