HIST 337
ENGLISH HISTORY

1. Catalog Entry

HIST 337. English History. (B)
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisite: Three hours of history at 100 level.

Familiarizes students with development of social, religious and political influences that have made the modern British Commonwealth. HIST 337 extends to 1687.

2. Detailed Description of Content of Course

I. Introduction

A. Geography
B. Pre-history

II. Roman and Saxon England

A. Roman England

1. Pre-Roman cultures at the time of invasion
2. Roman development
3. Extinction of Roman England

B. Saxon England

1. Saxon invasions
2. Law, government, and society
3. Religion and intellectual achievements

III. Early Medieval England, 1066-1300

A. England, 1066-1215

1. Invasion
2. Development of common law
3. Religion and culture

B. England, 1215-1300

1. Limitations on government

a. Magna Carta
b. Baronial Revolt
c. Parliament

2. Rise of cities and capitalism
3. Intellectual revival

IV. Late Medieval England, 1300-1471

A. Decline of Feudalism

1. Competition of capitalism
2. Black plague
3. Rise of the individual

B. Resurgence of the Nobility

1. Decline of law and government
2. Parliament corrupted
3. Disruption of foreign war

a. 100 year war

4. Civil War

C. Disruption of Religious and Social Consensus

V. Tudor England

A. Emergence of Monarchical Nation State

1. Role of law and Parliament
2. Bringing church under control
3. Increased role of government to regulate social life

B. Opposition to the New Society

1. Catholicism and puritanism

C. Renaissance in England

VI. Early Stuart England

A. Failure of the Monarchy

1. Government tax and economic backwardness
2. Role of new classes
3. Road to revolution

B. Resurgence of Parliament

1. Alliance with common law
2. Identification with history and England
3. Shifting role in constitution

VII. Two Revolutions

A. Revolution of 1641 and Constitutionalism

1. Outbreak of moderate revolution
2. Radical revolution
3. Synthesis of 1660
4. Role of propaganda and minority opinion

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The class meets the equivalent of three hours a week. A textbook and a reading book of original source material are required. Teaching involves a mix of lecture and discussion. Visual aids are primarily maps and graphs. A research paper or research in courthouse records (deeds and wills), or extensive monograph reading is required of all students. Quality of research and writing, rather than length, are emphasized. Papers are footnoted according to the discipline of the student's major.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

The courses in English History emphasize the role of ideas, the individual and the community in developing of English history. Common law and governmental institutions are followed from primitive Germanic origins to modern democracy. The role of individuals in shaping these changes is emphasized.

Successful students will have a knowledge of and better understanding of:

1. The role of ideas in shaping change.
2. The role of "consent of the community" that will lead to law, constitutionalism and democracy.
3. Have knowledge of and appreciate the struggle and sacrifices for self-government.
4. Realize that all societies and governments, including the English model, have shortcomings.
5. Understand that adapting to gradual change can strengthen a society and avoid revolution.

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment includes essay test and final exam, discussion of required readings and evaluation of written research papers. Emphasis is placed on class attendance and regular study as opposed to cramming for tests and exams.

6. Other Course Information

None.

7. Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed by
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan