Introducing Scottish Social History (Credit Plus) (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge required.

Content of Course

1. Introduction to Social History - Identifying concepts, methodologies, sources, etc. Introduction to study skills and course content.

2. Anchor Family life 1830. Learning styles. Time management. Note-taking from lectures.

3. Housing the people (1) - The Tenement City. Visit to University of Edinburgh main library.

4. Housing the people (2) - Post-War New Towns. Essay writing – making a plan for the practice essay.

5. Work - Occupational structure and the experience of work, 1830-1990. Note-taking from the written word. Academic reading.

6. Women’s Lives, 1860-1960. Hand in practice essay. Discussion in class of the experience of writing this essay.

7. War and Society (1) - Impact of two World Wars – WW1. Museum visit: visit to The People’s Story Museum. Museums for research.

8. War and Society (2) - Impact of two World Wars – WW2. Return of practice essay. Value of feedback. Generating ideas. Referencing.

9. Health and Welfare 1830-1950 – Temperance and Social Reform. Preparing a plan for the credit essay. In-class review of study skills. Memory and concentration.

10. Society at play - Sport and recreation from 1850 – 1990. Essay-writing skills: what makes a good essay?

Teaching method(s)

Teaching methods will include a mix of lecture and seminar-style teaching with discussion time.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have developed skills of historical analysis and equipped themselves to think critically about social change in people's lives. They will have learnt about the importance of class, gender and religion in shaping people's lives. Students will also have developed skills for independent learning, including reading texts critically; taking notes; and planning and writing essays.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Smout, T.C., 1968. A Century of the Scottish People. London: Collins.

• Thompson, F.M.L., 1992. The Cambridge Social History of Britain 1750–1950. Vol. II, People and Environment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Recommended:

• Dickson, A. & Treble, J. H., eds., 1992. People and Society in Scotland, Vol III, 1914–1990. Edinburgh: John Donald.

• Fraser, W.H. & Morris, R. J., eds., 1990. People and Society in Scotland, Vol. II, 1830–1914. Edinburgh: John Donald.

• Knox, W.W., 1999. Industrial Nation: Work, Culture and Society in Scotland, 1800–Present. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Study skills texts:

• Northedge, A., 2005. The Good Study Guide. Milton Keynes: OUP.

• Smith, P., 1996. Writing an Assignment. Plymouth: How to Books Ltd.

Class Handouts

Outline of course with detailed reading. Short extracts from source material for purpose of discussion in class.

Assessments

10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk 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.