HS2P82-Socialists, Radicals and Trade Unionists: The Making and Development of the British Labour party 1880 - 1945

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr M Worley
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: m.worley@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
Periods involve the study of substantial chronological periods. They aim to acquaint students with the causes and consequences of continuity and change over the long term in the political, social, economic and cultural systems under study. Periods are distinguished as Medieval, Early Modern or Modern. This particular period in Modern history focuses on the major developments in British Labour history in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
• identify and explain the main issues and events studied
• appraise critically the primary sources and historical interpretations of the subject
• think comparatively about aspects of British, European or American history over a substantial period
• assess the nature of social, economic, political and cultural change
• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both under timed conditions and in assessed essays.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student’s effectiveness in group situations. Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources and databases.

Outline content:
The emergence and growth of the Labour Party at the beginning of the twentieth century fundamentally realigned Britain’s political composition. As a party that sought to represent the ‘interests of labour’ and, from 1918, to establish a ‘socialist commonwealth’ based on co-operation, equality and the ‘common ownership of the means of production’, Labour successfully replaced the Liberal Party as the principal alternative to Conservatism. By 1945, it was able to form a majority government and introduce policy that would change Britain forever (NHS, nationalisation). This module will consider a variety of factors that informed Labour’s rise to power, including an assessment of those ‘pioneers’ who formed the party, an evaluation of Labour’s socialist programme, an analysis of the reasons for Labour’s eclipse of the Liberal Party, an overview of Labour’s attempts to form minority governments in 1924 and 1929-31, and an examination of the role played by the trade union movement in Labour’s development. Throughout, issues of class, gender and regionalisation will be considered in an attempt to comprehend the varied ‘identities’ that comprised the Labour Party.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminars, requiring preparatory reading and investigation, may include informal and interactive presentations by the module teacher; structured group discussion; short seminar papers by students; occasional tutorials; team-based simulation exercises and debates; examination of primary and secondary sources. Students are expected to carry out self-directed revision in the Summer term. Staff will be available for consultation as necessary

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars		30
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours		30
Number of essays or assignments		1
Other (eg major seminar paper)		see above

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will be required to write one essay of 2,500 words, to be handed in to the Part 2 secretary in the History office in week 8, and by 12 noon on Friday of that week at the latest.

Relative percentage of coursework
33%

Examinations
One two-hour paper requiring two answers to be taken at the time of the Part 2 examinations.

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 September.