MO4970 Revolutions and Empires (1776 - 1848)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on the second year of the Honours Programme.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof R Whatmore

Prof R Whatmore
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Richard Whatmore

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

In 1700 Europe was a patchwork of different kinds of states from absolute monarchies to free cities. During the eighteenth century the traditional survival strategies of the smaller states began to fail. The dark side of the enlightenment is the story of the decline and disappearance of so many of these small states. The revolutions that began in 1776 and were followed across Europe and beyond can all be seen as rebellions against empire. This module examines these revolutions and their consequences for the empires that they sought to limit or dismantle. The French Revolution, from being a cosmopolitan revolution to put an end to empire, turned into an attempt to create a global republican empire, and the course looks at the consequences of the Revolution for the ideals that sustained it. It goes on to examine the relationship between states after the Napoleonic Wars, and the consequences of the new forces of industrialism, socialism, utilitarianism, liberalism and democracy.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

New Coursework: 1 x source exercise (2,500 words) and 1 x 5,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 3-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

66

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

534

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.