Session

Fall 2025

 Term

F

Format

LECT

Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite

This class examines twentieth century Britain largely through the medium of film, with some use of literary texts. The course comprises background lectures on important events and developments in twentieth century Britain, film viewings, and lectures analyzing and discussing the films and literary texts. The topics approached in this way include the imperial experience and the withdrawal from empire, the impact of two world wars and economic decline, the position and experience of women, working class life, and the articulation of national identity. It will concentrate on particular periods such as the Second World War, the 1950s, and the Thatcher era, and particular problems such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the experience of immigrants after 1948. The way such historical events and developments are interpreted in cultural texts such as film is a central question in this class, as is examining the particular national characteristics of British films. The films will be supplemented by secondary readings and by the use of literary texts such as Look Back in Anger (1956) and Jerusalem the Golden (1969). Course credit exclusion: AP/HIST 3490 6.00. PRIOR TO FALL 2009: Course credit exclusion: AS/HIST 3490 6.00.

Course Start Up

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