131-212 The Birth of Industrial Society: Class and Conflict in Britain, 1780-1850

Note

Available as 131-312 at 3rd-year level.

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Subject Description

This subject studies British society during the critical period of the world's first Industrial Revolution, and examines its social, political and economic impact on the first population to experience the stresses of industrialisation. The themes with which students will deal in this subject include: the major social changes brought by early industrialisation, including the factory system and early industrialisation; the concepts of social class, class consciousness and class conflict in relation to the development of a middle class and working class; the nature of the British state and the issues of reform and revolution; changes in the role and status of women and the family; and the development of the modern ideologies of classical economics, liberalism, socialism, paternalism, evangelicalism and Benthamite utilitarianism and their application to the social problems of the period. The subject also examines developments in Britain's dependency, Ireland in this period, including the crucial events of Catholic Emancipation and the Great Famine.

Assessment

One research essay of 3000 words (50%), one final reflective essay of 2000 words (40%), tutorial participation (10%).