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A History of Edinburgh from Earliest Times to 1914

Course Times & Enrolment

Wednesdays from 17th January 2024 (Code HS255-202) Wednesdays from
17th January 2024 6:30pm - 8:20pm • (10 classes)
LG47 Paterson's Land, Holyrood Campus • Tutor: William Brydon MA MBA PhD
This course is now closed for enrolments

Course Summary

A survey of the main economic, social and cultural issues that shaped Edinburgh's history. From Stone Age fortress through Auld Reekie to World Heritage site, the Old and New Towns, and the lives of their residents, can be explored and appreciated anew.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge required.

Content of Course

1. Introduction.

2. Fortress and Town: The First Settlement of Edinburgh.

3. Royal Burgh, Trade and Commerce: Life in Medieval Edinburgh.

4. Becoming the Capital of Scotland: Edinburgh in the 15th and 16th Centuries.

5. Reformation, Revolution and Union: Edinburgh from 1560 to 1707.

6. How the Burgh was run: The Town Council of Edinburgh.

7. The Age of Enlightenment and Improvement, 1707-1789.

8. The Age of Revolutions, 1789 - 1833.

9. Victorian and Edwardian Edinburgh.

10. Course Review.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture-based with class discussion.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an insight into the social, economic and cultural aspects of Edinburgh's history in a general survey course;

  • Assess and appreciate the role of Edinburgh within Scottish history over a long period;

  • Demonstrate an ability to deal critically with primary and secondary sources.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

  • Daiches, D. 1978. Edinburgh. London: Hamish Hamilton

  • Dennison, E.P., 2005. Holyrood and Canongate: A Thousand Years of History. Edinburgh: Penguin

  • Smout, T. C., 1969. A History of Scottish People1560-1830. London: Collins

  • Smout, T. C., 1986. A Century of the Scottish People 1830-1950. London: Collins

Class Handouts

Class handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.