HISTORY 123: ENGLAND TO 1688

FALL SEMESTER, 2012

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11-12:15, 1641 Mosse Humanities.

email: jsommerv@wisc.edu

This course deals with more than sixteen hundred years of British history, from the coming of the Romans to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. It focuses on the major events and most momentous social changes which shaped the development of the English people. The objectives of the course are (i) to investigate how a small island off the coast of Continental Europe came to be a world power which exercised an incalculable influence on history and culture around the globe; (ii) to foster an understanding of societies very different from our own; and (iii) to enhance critical and analytical thinking, and communication skills.

The first part of the course examines the impact of the successive invasions of the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Topics covered include the evolution of the English church and state during the Middle Ages, the nature of feudalism, the troubled reign of King John, and the effects of the Black Death and other plagues on English life in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

The second part of the course starts with the Wars of the Roses and deals with the last phase of the Middle Ages and the beginnings of modern England. Topics discussed will include the dissolution of the monasteries and the destruction of the church's independence, reforms in government under the Tudors, the steep growth of population, and resulting economic stresses. Particular attention will be given to the reign of Elizabeth I, and to the origins of the English Civil War in the 1640s. The course ends with an analysis of the significance of the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Note that the weekly readings may vary slightly from those listed below; your TA will give you precise details of what to read each week.

Instructor: Johann Sommerville
Email: jsommerv@wisc.edu
Office: 5214 Mosse Humanities
Mailbox: 5008
Office Hours: TBA

Teaching Assistant:  TBA

Required texts:

	C. Warren Hollister, The Making of England 55 B.C. to 1399.
	Lacey Baldwin Smith, This Realm of England: 1399 to 1688.

In addition, some documents will be assigned each week to read in preparation for the weekly discussion session. For approximate details, click Course schedule (your TA will give you precise details in each week's discussion.)

Required tasks:

3 credit students will:

	attend lectures;
	attend and participate in discussion section;
	take two mid-term exams in class (10/9 and 11/15) and a final exam (5:05 PM on Wednesday 12/19; place to be announced.)
	explore the lecture outlines by clicking here.

4 credit students will have the same tasks, and in addition will write a term paper. The term paper (due in class by 10/25) should be in 10-12 point font, double-spaced, and about 5-6 pages in length; in addition to the 5-6 pages of text, the paper should also include a bibliography, and references to things you have read, giving your sources, and it should show familiarity with at least two books or articles in addition to the course reading. See The Writing Center site on how to cite references in your paper.
You can either arrange a topic with me or your T.A., or write on one of the following topics:
(i) To what extent were King John's problems of his own making, and to what extent did he inherit them from his predecessors?
(ii) What were the most serious problems which faced Elizabeth I, and how successful was she in overcoming them?

If you cannot complete the fourth credit paper by October 25, make sure to drop the fourth credit in good time! To do this please visit your MyUW site and follow the links to update your current course information.

Honors students: as 3 or 4 credit students, but you will write an additional paper (due 12/13.)

You are responsible for keeping up with the readings and preparing for weekly discussion sections. Click on Course schedule to link to approximate details of each week's reading; you will be given precise details in discussion section.

How much are the exams (etc.) worth?
3 credit students: classroom participation 20%; each mid-term 20%; final 40%
4 credit students: classroom participation 20%; term paper 25%; each mid-term 13.75%; final 27.5%
3 credit honors students: classroom participation 20%; term paper 25%; each mid-term 13.75%; final 27.5%
4 credit honors students: classroom participation 20%; each term paper 15%; each mid-term 12.5%; final 25%