Beatles to Blair: Britain Since 1960

Course Content:

This module explores the social, cultural and political history of Britain from 1960 to the
present day. Particular weight will be attached to considering the changes and
continuities in ordinary people's lives and leisure in this period, through an examination
of the impact of such phenomena as the Beatles, Eastenders and Facebook. These
cultural aspects will be complemented by an evaluation of the role of such social factors
as class, gender, ethnicity, and education as well as the place of individual character in
influencing people's experiences and opportunities. The inter-action between sociocultural
changes and politics will also be a major theme, with analysis of changes in
government policy, ideology and leadership style from Harold Wilson through Margaret
Thatcher to Tony Blair.

The issue of a changing British national identity and character will also be addressed. This
is contemporary history, with a firm emphasis on the relationship between the near past
and the present, encouraging students also to reflect on their own experiences of a very
recent period of history. A range of contemporary sources, including film, television,
music and memoir will be used to foster engagement with the period. This is also an era
increasingly attracting the attention of historians both of society and political culture,
and this growing historiography will be analysed, with a particular focus on debates over
the leisure, habits and attitudes of 'the people'.

Topics Covered Include:
? Cultural change and its limits in the 1960s and 1970s eg the Beatles,
Coronation Street and Punk.
? Comprehensive schools, Enoch Powell's 'River of Blood' speech, and the
Women's Liberation movement.
? Harold Wilson and the 'white heat' of technological revolution.
? Margaret Thatcher and Thatcherism's roots in, and impact upon British
society.
? Prosperity, poverty, and social divisions in the 1980s: the Brixton riots,
miners' strike, and poll tax riots.
? Leisure and culture in the 1980s: Eastenders, home computers, Live Aid.
? New Labour and Tony Blair's 'third way'; educational expansion and
opportunity.
? Race, religion, and morality in contemporary Britain: 'Back to Basics', the
London bombings, the London riots.
? Culture and technological change: the social impact of Facebook, the X
Factor, and 'Americanisation'.
? Changes and continuities in British identities and national character.

Teaching: Lectures and seminars

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Exam 60%
? Essay 40%
STUDY OPTION 2: 2000 word essay
STUDY OPTION 3: 2000 word essay

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer