Aims

This module aims to survey the social and legal history of Britain and Ireland from the early seventeenth century to the opening decade of the nineteenth century. It primarily focuses on the challenges to law and order, and how the State and regional authorities detected and punished offenders of all kinds. It charts the myriad of offences that were committed and the reasons why. It analyses the consequences for the perpetrator and the exercise of power by those imposing the rule of law. Students will examine primary evidence alongside a large corpus of secondary literature in order to understand the changing patterns and character of community life, criminal activity and the judicial system. The module will address the following key questions: Was early modern Britain and Ireland becoming increasingly disorderly? What were the main causes of criminal behaviour? How did the courts operate and how did they differ in their response to criminal activity? How was the rule of law enforced? How did the people view the legal processes? To what extent did social mores and religious beliefs influence the criminal code?

The specific aims of the module are:

1.       To explore the changes and continuities in early modern British and Irish society;
2.       To trace and analyse the changes in how the rule of law operated in Britain and Ireland, the challenges presented, and the punishments imposed;
3.       To further develop the capacity for independent study and enhance the experience of handling primary documents;
4.       To provide an opportunity to acquire a sound knowledge of the subject-matter, reading widely and critically in the primary and secondary literature associated with it.

Outline Of Syllabus

The following is a guide only. Actual titles may differ from those listed here. There will be on overview lecture each week and one two-hour seminar

Lectures
Week 1. Introduction & Four Nations Britain
Week 2. Definitions: Riot and Rebellion
Week 3. State Control
Week 4. Policing Dissent
Week 5. Detection, Informers & Evidence
Week 6. Punishments
Week 7. Privilege & Disorderly Behaviour
Week 8. Crowds & Riots
Week 9. Glorifying Crime
Week 10. A Moral Code?
Week. 11. Treason
Week 12. Revision Session

Seminars

Week 1. Using Sources & Case Studies
Week 2. ‘You the Jury’
Week 3. Legal System
Week 4. Dissenters
Week 5. Witchcraft Trials
Week 6. Popish Plot, 1679
Week 7. Unruly Communities
Week 8. Popular Culture & the Law
Week 9. Violent Crimes
Week 10. A Moral Society?
Week 11. High Treason: two case studies
Week 12. Reviewing crime in early modern British and Irish society

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will provide an overview of the subject and general introduction to the relevant themes. They will also
provide an introduction to the key historiographical and conceptual debates. They will impart core knowledge and an outline of the knowledge that students are expected to acquire. They will also stimulate development of listening and note-taking skills.

Seminars will encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral presentation, interpersonal
communication, problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Work submitted during the delivery of the module forms a means of determining student progress.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a
degree.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending Semester 1 only are required to finish their
assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:

Modules assessed by Coursework only:

All Semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module;
to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of Week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the
course content to date.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or Semester 2 are
required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.