A series of major historical transformations took place in Britain between the end of the seventeenth century and the middle of the nineteenth century.  Beginning with a political revolution, and ending with an industrial revolution, this era saw Britain develop into a global imperial and military power. At the same time, the nation was transformed by new forms of politics, culture and social life. This course examines these entangled historical processes, together with the experiences and responses of the people who lived through them.

The course helps participants to develop a critical and historical perspective on major issues that continue to shape our world: from globalization and capitalist development, to nationalism, democracy, and social conflict.  It will encourage debate about the origins and character of early 'modernity' in Britain and its relationship to broader patterns of historical change.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. analyse the social, economic, cultural and political history of Britain and its emergence as a world power;
2. evaluate important concepts in the study of change in modern societies;
3. assess contemporary scholarship on British history; and
4. construct sustained evidence-based arguments addressing key issues in British history.

Research-Led Teaching

This course reflects the convenor's research in that it focuses on themes central to his research, as well as a period and geography that reflect his research expertise. It is also research-led in the sense that both the teaching and assessment are designed to develop research skills in students, including the identification and interpretation of key primary sources, and processes of disciplined, evidence-based argument.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

Students will need access to a computer

Required Resources

Students will need access to a computer in order to complete assignments and access readings.

All set readings will be made available to students via Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Useful preliminary reading, if desired, might include some general histories of Britain and its Empire in the period. Some good starting points are:

F. O'Gorman, The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History, 1689-1832 (London: Arnold, 2016)

R. Hyam, Understanding the British Empire (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010)

Staff Feedback

Feedback: Rubrics are provided for all assessment items so that students can plan their work and can identify areas for improvement. Students may receive feedback in any of the following ways:

1. Written or rubric-based feedback;
2. Synchronous live feedback to individual learners or consolidated for the whole class;
3. Feedback in numeric, tabular, and graphical formats, and/or comments provided by video or audio recording or in writing;
4. Individual feedback can be provided to students in consultation with the teaching team by email or by appointment.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction: Britain and its Empire from Revolution to Revolutions
2	Building Britain: Protestantism, Profits and War
3	Whigs, Tories and the People: High and Low Politics in the Eighteenth Century
4	Private Vices and Public Benefits: Wealth and Virtue in a Commercial Society
5	The Politics of Politeness: Manners and Identity in the Eighteenth Century
6	The Market and the Moral Economy: Riot and Resistance to Social Change
7	Imperial Enterprise: The Rewards and Anxieties of Empire
8	The Age of Revolution and its Discontents: Radicalism and Reaction from the 1790s
9	Civilization and the Sexes: Gender in a Changing World
10	Progress and Poverty: Industrialisation and its Social Impact
11	Romantics and Visionaries: Rejecting, Reforming and Reflecting the Times
12	The Condition of Britain in Global Context

Tutorial Registration

Via My Timetable

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
RESEARCH ESSAY - 2000 WORDS	40 %	19/09/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Take-home Examination - 2000 words	40 %	05/11/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Oral Presentation (10 minutes in length)	10 %	*	1, 2, 3
Contribution to Collective Learning	10 %	*	1, 2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend tutorials and lectures for the course, to keep up with reading, and to assist with group learning.

Examination(s)

There will be a take-home examination.

Assessment Task 1

RESEARCH ESSAY - 2000 WORDS

Students will be asked to select from a choice of questions, or design their own question in consultation with the lecturer. This will be a research essay, using period evidence and engaging with modern scholarship. Students will be provided the questions, and guidance on the task, early in the semester. The purpose of the task is to allow students to research a theme or topic related to the course in detail, and to develop their skills in historical research and writing.

Assessment Task 2

Take-home Examination - 2000 words

Students will be asked to complete a take-home examination of 2000 words. The purpose of this task is to encourage students to think about course themes analytically and synthetically, drawing together their learning into a coherent and considered form. Students will be given the details of the exam two weeks before the due date.

Assessment Task 3

Oral Presentation (10 minutes in length)

Students will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation in class, discussing a period source relevant to that week's tutorial topic. Students will also be asked to post a 500 word statement about their presentation on the course noticeboard. The purpose of this assignment is to help students to develop their ability to identify and analyse historical evidence, as well as to communicate their findings to others.

Assessment Task 4

Contribution to Collective Learning

Students will be assessed on their contribution to collective learning in the form of active engagement with class discussions in tutorials, lectures and online.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension is penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Once the due time and date have passed, the minimum late penalty is 5 marks. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Students will receive written comments on their oral presentations and their essays. Both will be returned to students before release of the examination task.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

This is not normally permitted in this course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students