HI354F: THE EMPIRE IN THE 'ORIENT': THE BRITISH IN ASIA, 1600-1858 (2015-2016)

This course examines the development of English and, after 1707, British imperial interests in Asia. The approach is both chronological and thematic. It begins by charting the evolution of the English East India Company's mercantile operations in Asia and the development of what contemporaries believed to be a new, virtuous form of commercial empire. After 1750 the Company suddenly and unexpectedly began acquiring substantial territorial interests in India and these, together with rapidly evolving commercial contacts in the Persian Gulf, Indonesia and China, are discussed. The political and ideological repercussions of the crisis in expansion will be explored, as will be the important role of the Scots and the Irish. The final decades of the Company's power in India after the loss of its commercial monopoly in 1813 are charted, as are British efforts at reforming Indian society. The final theme is the 1857 Mutiny, the single most violent indigenous reaction to British rule, an event which revealed the considerable strengths and weaknesses of Britain's empire in Asia.

This module is available to students on all non-History degree programmes as a Discipline Breadth course for the enhanced study requirement. However, the admission of students with a non-History degree intention will be at the discretion of the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View HI354F Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: 1 x 5,000 word Essay (50%), 1 x 1,500 word Review on a contemporary source (20%), 1 x 1,500 word Report on class presentation (20%), Class Participation (including attendance) (10%)

NB: 4th year students will also chair a seminar.

 

Students will undertake a 15-20 minute presentation on a specific topic and receive feedback from the co-ordinator and fellow students on matters of analytical, structure and clarity. These points will be incorporated into the final written report on the presentation.

Feedback is provided through one-to-one meetings for planning of class presentations, source reviews and essays. Submissions are staggered to ensure formal written feedback is acquired by the half way mark and the adjustment of effort for the summative essay.

None.