HS1RVC-Revolutionary Cities

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Jeremy Burchardt
Email: j.burchardt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module is optional for SINGLE HONOURS STUDENTS ONLY.

Aims:

• To assess and explore the concept of revolutionary euphoria


• To consider a range of different revolutionary cities across time and space


• To assess how far there is evidence of revolutionary euphoria in each of these cases


• To reconstruct, as far as possible, the elusive character of popular mentality and experience in revolutionary cities


• To gauge to what extent there are genuine similarities in the revolutionary experience of the cities considered


• To identify the causes of revolutionary euphoria and the circumstances in which it arises in cities


• To assess to what extent the revolutionary euphoria of some groups of people is necessarily correlated with negative consequences (for example, revolutionary terror) for other groups


• To explore the question of whether revolutionary euphoria is necessarily evanescent

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• identify the sources of the idea or ideology in question


• trace its historical development


• be aware of differing historiographical interpretations of the pattern and causes of this development


• understand how ideas and ideologies are shaped by their historical contexts


• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in wri ting, both under timed conditions and in assessed coursework 


• demonstrate familiarity with bibliographical conventions and mastery of library skills.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims:

• to encourage students to think independently


• to help students develop good oral and written communication skills


• to develop the effectiveness of students in group situations


• to develop IT skills through the use of relevant resources.

Outline content:
This module seeks to re-imagine, explore and understand one of the high points of human experience: the euphoria of the revolutionary moment. Many, although perhaps not all, revolutions generate a passionate upwelling of hope, idealism and enthusiasm. This has occurred across a wide range of time and space, in many different places and periods. This euphoria seems to arise most readily in an urban context. The module therefore focuses on urban revolutions. It takes a comparative, diachronic approach, seeking to assess how far there are genuine similarities in the popular experience of urban revolutions across time and space and to identify continuities and changes. The module uses a wide range of visual and aural material to find a way into the elusive and evanescent character of the £what it was like£ of the revolutionary moment. Among the cities we will consider are Florence in 1494, M£nster in 1534-5, Paris in 1789, 1871 and 1968, Petrograd in 1917 and Barcelona in 1936.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching is by eight two-hour seminars over one term. Students are reminded to email their tutors for help and advice whenever needed and to note office hours.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	16
Tutorials	10
Guided independent study:	74
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Written exam 50% - One 1-hour unseen paper requiring 1 answer.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Written assignment 50% - One written assignment of c. 1,250 words, to be submitted once via Blackboard on Turnitin, by 12 noon on the submission deadline in Week 11 specified on the module site on Blackboard.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Where a re-sit is permitted, students will be assessed on the failed element(s) only in August. Any element(s) already passed will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. The module mark will be capped at a maximum of 40%. Failed coursework must be re-submitted by 12 noon, on the last Friday of August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 1 February 2022