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Landscape, History and Heritage in Britain Since the Sixteenth Century

Module description

This module offers you an exciting and unique opportunity to investigate historical themes and processes through the study of the landscape, heritage and history of Britain. This module critically examines the changing nature of landscapes and their meanings since the sixteenth century to the present day. It explores the uses of the past in the past, and the modern concept of heritage in shaping ideas, values and experiences of the physical environments in which we live. You will study a number of historical themes including for example: meanings of place and identity in historical context; the lasting imprint of medieval religious beliefs on the landscape; the invention and reinvention of myths and legends associated with archaeological sites; early explorations and perceptions of the subterranean world; the ways mining and industry have shaped the ways people perceive and value landscapes ‘above ground’; the social and environmental history of fragile coastal environments; the cultural history of ritual and festival; photographic and visual culture; the cartographic and literary imaginations. This module is concerned throughout with the ways historical lines of enquiry have developed over time and how old assumptions are modified in light of new theoretical and interdisciplinary developments, and the particular environmental, cultural and economic concerns of the present-day.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This interdisciplinary module aims to do two things:

• First, it provides you with an introduction to the study of landscape history, and how the study of specific localities relate to broader historical themes and debates particularly relating to questions of heritage. You will explore how social, economic and cultural relationships have shaped landscapes and meanings of heritage over time, and how the deep past continues to influence present day perceptions and values.
• Second, the module is designed to ensure that you will acquire a firm grasp of academic skills, techniques and concepts in order to develop your skills as an independent researcher and critical thinker. You will have the opportunity to investigate a number of different topics. Considering diverse historical and literary sources, including maps, diaries, travel accounts and antiquarian writings, archaeological remains and material culture, you will gain insight into the multiple and often conflicting ways people in the past (and present) thought about and utilized the landscapes around them.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. display a core knowledge of landscape history and heritage linked to key themes and broader contexts
• 2. demonstrate critical awareness of the historiography relating to each case study, and potential of interdisciplinary approaches
• 3. bring primary evidence to bear on your interpretations of secondary arguments about landscape history and heritage

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon textual and non-textual evidence relating to a specific historical period or theme
• 5. collate data from a range of sources, both primary and secondary
• 6. with limited guidance, understand and deploy historical terminology in a comprehensible manner
• 7. handle different approaches to history in areas of controversy and work with a range of primary sources

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. combine independent, autonomous study with the ability to work reflectively and collaboratively
• 9. present material for group discussion and have respect for others’ reasoned views
• 10. with limited guidance, gather and deploy material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and cogent argument

Syllabus plan

The lectures will provide a spine of ideas and information. These will form a basis upon which students can build their own interpretations and explore concepts and issues further in the seminars. The seminar work will comprise of:

• discussions of particular topics and sources relating to the subject matter of the module
• group and collaborative discussions on particular topics, developing students’ teamwork and oral skills.

The module may also include a fieldtrip.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• B. Graham and P. Howard (eds.), The Ashgate Research Companion to Heritage and Identity (Aldershot, 2008)
• B. McDonagh and C. Griffin (eds.) Remembering Protest in Britain since 1500: Memory, Materiality and Landscape (Basingstoke, 2018)
• N. Whyte, ‘Senses of place, senses of time: landscape history from a British perspective’ Landscape Research 40:8, pp.925-938 (2015)
• M. Johnson, English Houses 1300-1800 Vernacular Architecture, Social Life (2010)
• Walsham, The Reformation Landscape (Oxford, 2012)
• Sarah Tarlow, The Archaeology of Improvement 1750-1850 (Cambridge, 2007)
• T. Williamson The Transformation of Rural England (Exeter, 2002)
• S. Turner, Medieval Devon and Cornwall : Shaping an Ancient Countryside (Macclesfield 2006).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE –  https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11264
• EEBO
• JSTOR
• Project Muse