HIST 316(S) Class, Gender, and Race in Post 1945 Britain

A major theme in British historiography is the enormous social change that has taken place in Britain since the end of World War II. In the 1950s sociologists argued that affluence was leading to the "embourgeoisement" of the working class; in the 1970s the feminist movement challenged gender roles that had earlier seemed so secure; and throughout the post-war era successive waves of immigration have challenged the social and cultural homogeneity of "traditional" British society. This course will explore these themes by tracing the break-up of the immediate post-war consensus and the gradual unfolding of a new politics of class, gender, and race in the midst of Britain's "green and pleasant land." In attempting to make sense of the transformation of post-1945 Britain, we will consider a variety of material, from documentary sources to the reflections of recent historians. We will also thoroughly integrate documentary and feature films into our discussion; students will hence be expected to view a film a week outside of class time. Evaluation will be based on participation in class discussion, two interpretive essays, and a self-scheduled final exam. Group B

Hour:  WATERS