This module will study the gradual collapse of the British Empire in the twentieth century. From both the perspective of the coloniser as well as the colonised, it will consider patterns in the way British decolonisation worked, and whether a narrative can ever be derived from these events. Key questions that emerge from this module include, did Britain transfer from one place to another what it had learned? Did the independence movements learn from each other? Did demands for independence appear all at once or emerge sporadically? The course covers aspects of the way in which the British Empire was formed and managed, how this rule was affected by conflicts in Europe and around the world, how the empire contributed to Britain's imperial causes during both war and peace, and how the wider implications of the economy, public opinion and international relations elsewhere accelerated imperial withdrawal in the 1960s. Importantly the module will also look at the political products of empire in terms of political philosophy, literature and art, as well as the (para)military strategies of insurgency and counter insurgency. Thus, the course contains both chronological as well as thematic elements, and will allow students to conduct more detailed specialist research or to cover a number of broader themes should they wish. This module aims to challenge students by providing an opportunity to look at a controversial period in British history from a variety of critical perspectives.

The module uses four main learning strategies. A combination of chronological and thematic lectures introduces the major themes, events and historical debates. Seminars are provided in two main forms: first, for the discussion of set-texts and broader ideas and second for the presentation of short research papers by students on assigned topics in which debates between students will be encouraged. Independent learning will be focused using a thematic reading list in preparation for lectures, presentations, discussion seminars and the assessment.

Raymond F. Betts, Decolonization (Routledge, 1998)
John Darwin, The Empire Project: The rise and fall of the British World-System (Cambridge, 2009)
Ronald Hyam, Britain's Declining Empire: The Road to Decolonisation, 1918-1968 (Cambridge, 2007)
Bernard Porter, The Lion's Share: a short history of British imperialism, 1850-2004 (Longman, 2004)
Barbara Bush, Imperialism, race and resistance (Routledge, 1999)

Library, where you will find relevant books, journals, newspapers and periodicals.
Internet, where you will find relevant Web sites.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

One 1,000 word research paper delivered both to the seminar group, and submitted in writing weighted at 20% [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]

One 2,500 word essay weighted at 80% [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]