People Power: Protest and Social Change in 20th Century Britain

Module overview

In this module you will develop an understanding of Britain’s social, political and cultural history in the twentieth century. You will learn about the various groups that sought to challenge the status quo and how this changed the lives of British people.

You will discover how women campaigned for the vote before the First World War, and how they sought economic, social and sexual liberation in the second half of the twentieth century.

You will learn about how workers fought against social inequalities, and how the state evolved to provide a minimum standard of living. You will also look at youth movements and cultural awakenings and about the experience of migrant groups through a period distinguished by decolonisation and racial divisions.

Module prerequisites

Applicants must be registered at another university and be achieving an equivalent of UK 2:2 (50%) or US GPA 2.7. Current first year students who do not yet have grades should provide a transcript confirming the modules they're enrolled on and an academic reference.

Students not from a majority English speaking country must be able to provide evidence of having English language at the following level: IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Module learning outcomes

1. Develop knowledge and understanding of British social, political and cultural history in the twentieth century
2. Develop skills in interpreting primary source material within historical context
3. Develop skills in presenting material visually and orally
4. Develop skills in reflecting on your own academic development and on cultural difference

Assessment details

From the themes covered in the module, identify a relevant primary source of your own (an image or short extract) and write a short interpretation of it. In the final class you will give a short presentation (10 minutes) about the source and your interpretation. (70% of credit; Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3)

You will also need to write a short reflective piece on the process of interpreting the source, justifying the choices you made (750 words; 30% of credit; Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4)

Programme timetable

After an introductory session on Monday 20 July, students will begin to navigate the various case studies of protest and social change as follows:

Tuesday 21 July - votes for women, the campaigns of Suffragists and Suffragettes, and the often militant struggle to challenge the political status quo of Edwardian Britain.

Wednesday 22 July - the workers’ struggle in inter-war Britain from the 1926 General Strike to the experience of the Jarrow Crusade and mass unemployment.

Thursday 23 July - field trip to York.

Friday 24 July -  the rise of the teenager, youth identity and youthful rebellion (Teddy Boys; Mods versus Rockers).

Monday 27 July - second-wave feminism and personal liberation in the 1960s.

Tuesday 28 July - post-war migration, the Windrush generation, and racial divisions in the late-twentieth century.

Afternoon sessions will support students’ learning, particularly their navigation of primary sources on each of the case studies. 

The final two days (Thursday 30 July and Friday 31 July) will support completion of the assessment.