Second Year Module
Module Leader: Dr Cathryn Pearce
Not running academic year 2011-12 due to staff leave
Rationale and Content:
Britain is an island nation. Nowhere is more than 72 miles from the coast. The sea has been the site of famous battles, the source of wealth, the scene of tragedy, the route for countless migrants, a recreational playground and the inspiration for generations of artists. William Shakespeare described Britain as 'this precious stone set in the silver sea'; whilst the film-maker Peter Greenaway described the British as having 'the sea in their blood'. Throughout history the sea has played a pivotal role in the fortunes and psyche of this island nation. This course takes a thematic approach towards Britain's relationship with the sea over the past five hundred years considering issues such as the role of the Royal Navy; maritime defence; exploration, trade and empire; emigration and immigration; maritime occupations; maritime heroes and villains; leisure and recreation; and the place of the sea in British culture and imagination. Questions to be considered will include: How has being an island nation shaped British history? How have different generations made their living from the sea? Why were men such as Admiral Nelson and Captain Cook such heroes in their day? Were smugglers romantic figures or criminals? How, if at all, did the invention of the seaside holiday alter Britons relationship with the sea? Why has the sea been such a constant source of inspiration for British artists, writers and musicians and how might historians 'read' their artistic creations? How has our relationship with the sea evolved and changed over the past half-century and how might it continue in the twenty-first century?
This module will take a chronological path from the early modern period through to the present day examining the changing nature of Britons relationship to the sea. Key themes will include: the role of the Royal Navy; maritime defence; exploration, trade and empire; emigration and immigration; maritime occupations; maritime heroes and villains; leisure and recreation; and the place of the sea in British culture and imagination.
Learning and Teaching Strategies:
This module will be delivered through weekly lectures and seminars plus tutorial support. Where appropriate supporting resources will also be made available online. Seminar sessions will be designed to encourage student participation and will support students in strengthening their skills of presentation, discussion,argument and debate,and in evaluating,interpreting and using secondary and primary sources.
Assessment:
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Module
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Mode
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Weighting %
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Length
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Submission Date
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Maritime Nation
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Document commentary
Essay
Individual oral presentation (with handouts)
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40%
50%
10%
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2,000 words
2,500 words
10 minutes and handouts of not less than 2 sides of A4
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Week 5
Week 12
As scheduled
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Recommended introductory reading:
Glen O'Hara, Britain and the Sea since 1600, (2010).
Further Reading:
C.A. Bayly, Imperial Meridian: The British Empire and the World, (1989).
H.V. Bowen, The Business of Empire: The East India Company and Imperial Britain 1756-1833, (2005).
James D.G. Davidson, The Scots and the Sea: A Nation's Lifeblood, (2005).
Peter Earle, Sailors: English Merchant Seamen 1650-1775, (2007).
Paul Kleber Monod, Imperial Island: A History of Britain and its Empire 1660-1837, (2009).
Roger Knight, The Pursuit of Victory: The Life and Achievement of Horatio Nelson, (2006).
Brian Lavery, The Island Nation, (2005).
Margarette Lincoln, Representing the British Navy 1750-1815, (2002).
Cathryn Pearce, Cornish Wrecking 1700-1860: Reality and Popular Myth, (2010).
E. Richards, Britannia's Children: Emigration from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland since 1600, (2004).
Jonathan Raban, The Oxford Book of the Sea, (1993).
N.A.M. Rodger, The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain 1649-1815, (2006).
John K. Walton, The British Seaside: Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century, (2000).
James Walvin, Black Ivory: Slavery in the British Empire, (2001).
Glyn Williams, The Death of Captain Cook, (2008).