ENG4509 – The Politics of Consensus in Britain?: 1900 to the Present
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course focuses on the notion of ‘consensus’ as a way to understand modern British political history. The concept of consensus was popularized by historian Paul Addison’s work on what he termed the ‘Post-war Consensus’ after the Second World War. We will critically examine the usefulness of this historical concept, consider how it has shaped subsequent historical research (what is referred to as ‘historiography’), and think about how historians use periodization to make sense of history. This will provide you with the tools to evaluate other historical concepts and debates and other national contexts.
We will also apply our theoretical discussions to a range of case studies from over a century of modern British history which have been characterized as periods of consensus and conflict. This will cover themes and topics such as: free trade versus protectionism; imperialism; conservatism, liberalism and social democracy; the Cold War; Thatcherism and neoliberalism; New Labour and Devolution; and recent political developments such as Brexit and political figures such as Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Learning outcome
By the end of the course, you will have:
- developed an understanding of the concept of political consensus, and how it has been - and can be - applied to analyses of modern Britain as well as other nations.
- developed tools to critically engage with key historical concepts, historiographical debates, and historical periodization.
- gained experience analysing a diverse range of primary sources as a historian, including how to critically engage with documentaries.
- surveyed a range of important periods of political continuity and change in Britain from the early twentieth century to the current day.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours in all.
Aside from the readings for specific seminars, you will also watch some documentaries related to the course themes. Links to these will be provided via Canvas so that you can watch them in your own time if necessary, but I will also screen them on campus so that we can watch them together and have a brief discussion about them afterwards.
- You will submit a first draft of the term paper assignment for the portfolio at a given deadline.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.?Information about?guidelines for obligatory activities.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accommodations.
Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The final grade is set on the basis of a portfolio exam. This consists of:
- A comparative analysis some of the documentaries set as required watching for the course (4 standard pages à 2,300 characters (+/- 10%)).
- A written term paper (8 standard pages à 2,300 characters (+/- 10%)).
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
A porfolio or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.