HS3SAU-Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Matthew Worley
Email: m.worley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines the relationship between youth cultures and politics in Britain between the period 1976 and 1984. These were turbulent times, during which the steady improvements in living standards that helped facilitate the emergence of recognisable youth cultures in the years following World War Two gave way to economic downturn and political instability. Punk, it seemed, was the soundtrack to social, political and cultural change.

Aims:

Specials aim to provide 'hands-on' experience of the historian's task through close examination and evaluation of primary sources and the light they shed on issues and problems. This particular module gives students an understanding of the relationship between youth cultures and politics in the UK.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• undertake detailed textual analysis and comment on the primary materials


• achieve a detailed command of varying historical interpretations of the primary materials and subject as a whole


• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing under timed conditions


• recognise and interpret a wide range of different primary materials


• locate and assemble information on the subject by independent research


• deploy primary materials to shed light on the issues and problems being studied

Additional outcomes:

This module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student’s effectiveness in group situations. Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources.

Outline content:

This module uses primary material to explore the ways by and extent to which youth cultures provided space for young people to resist, explore and understand the society and communities into which they were coming of age. Thus, the breakdown of the post-war consensus, the emergence of Thatcherism and the reigniting of the cold war will be examined through the music, artwork and writings produced in the wake of punk’s emergence in 1976. Key questions include: what were the politics of punk? Was youth culture a site of resistance, as argued by Stuart Hall and others from the Centre of Contemporary Cultural Study (CCCS)? Can youth culture be read as a reflection of or influence on the wider political and socio-economic context into which it emerges and exists? 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• The teaching for this module involves weekly two-hour discussion seminars.


• Students will gain ‘hands-on’ experience of the historian’s task through the detailed evaluations of key texts, and the light they shed on the issues and problems being investigated.


• Students will be required to prepare for seminars through reading from both the primary sources and the secondary literature.


• Students are expected to carry out self-directed revision in the summer term. Staff will be available for consultation as necessary.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	22	22
Tutorials	2
Guided independent study:	176	178
Total hours by term	200	200
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A two-hour paper involving detailed commentary on extracts from the sources studied.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one fanzine-style portfolio and one essay (each constituting 30% of the overall mark for the module) to be submitted electronically, the first by 12 noon on the Monday of Week 1 in the spring term (portfolio), the second by 12 noon on the Wednesday of Week 11 in the spring term (essay). The portfolio should be presented as a fanzine and comprise elements such as primary source analysis (gobbets), record reviews and contextual summaries of historical content. The portfolio should not exceed 3,000 words in total, and the essay shall not exceed 3,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Essays and portfolios which exceed the word limit by more than 5% will incur a penalty of five marks. Candidates will be rewarded for making appropriate use of the prescribed texts.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative work, for instance seminar presentations, book reviews, posters, practice source commentaries, will be required for this Special Subject over the two terms.

Practice commentaries on the sources will be required for formative assessment.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Failed coursework must be re-submitted by 12 noon, on the third Friday of August.

A candidate who has failed or has not achieved at least Third Class Honours in the Final Examination for a Bachelor’s degree at the first attempt shall have the right to be re-assessed on only one further occasion at the next opportunity (normally August), and, if they elect to be re-assessed, may only be re-assessed in those modules in the Final Part in which they achieved less than 40. Subject to this restriction, a re-examinee may select those modules in which they wish to be re-assessed. A re-examinee will be given a mark for the re-assessed module which reflects the candidate’s performance in the re-assessment. This mark will be recorded on the candidate’s transcript and Diploma Supplement. However, the mark to be used in determining the classification is the higher of (a) the first attempt mark or (b) the lower of 40 and the mark achieved in the re-examination. A candidate who is re-assessed in the Final Part of a Bachelor’s degree shall be eligible for classified Honours, which shall be determined on the basis of the full array of marks relevant to classification, including capped re-assessment marks. The classification itself is not capped. The registration of a candidate who fails the Final Examination at the second attempt shall be terminated and shall not normally be permitted to register for an alternative programme at the same or a higher level. Candidates whose registration is terminated due to failure in the Final Examination may be eligible for a lesser award.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023