This research seminar will discuss the causes of British expansion in the nineteenth century and the reactions to British conquest and rule. How did the British manage to establish colonial sway over a quarter of the globe? What were the aims of British colonial administration? How did the Empire affect the lives of Asians, Africans and others throughout the world as well as the lives of those within the British Isles? In the first half of the seminar, students read books that will stimulate curiosity about those questions. During the opening weeks, the focus is on Latin America, the Middle East and Africa as well as India. Latin America provides the background for discussion on ‘informal empire’.
One of the main requirements is met by students submitting a weekly critique of the reading assignments. Each of the weekly essays is circulated to all other members of the class who make annotations on style as well as substance. The seminar thus becomes as much a course in professional writing as one in which individual academic interests are pursued.
This is a research seminar. In the latter part of the seminar, the focus will shift to India as an example of British rule and the problem of Indian independence in 1947. Two documentary series will be studied as a primary sources, the British Transfer of Power series and the Indian Towards Freedom series. The requirement is a research paper of about 20 double-spaced pages.
Again, drafts of the research papers are circulated to all members of the seminar for annotation, comment and discussion.
The seminar upholds the principles of the Modern History Faculty at Oxford—to enhance (1) intellectual curiosity; (2) conceptual clarity; (3) accuracy and attention to detail; (4) lucid and succinct style; (5) capacity for hard work.
Grades are determined by attendance and participation in discussion (25%); the weekly critiques (25 %); and the research paper (50%).
Reading Schedule
Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, Freedom at Midnight September 6
W. R. Louis, Imperialism: The Robinson and Gallagher Controversy September 13
Ronald Robinson and John Gallagher, Africa and the Victorians September 20
Judith Brown, Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope September 27
Penderel Moon, ed., Wavell: The Viceroy’s Journal October 4
Sarvepalli Gopal, Nehru (vol. 1) October 11
Ayesha Jalal, The Sole Spokesman October 18
October 25: Discussion of Ayesha Jalal, The Sole Spokesman
November 1: Discussion of research topics
November 8: first batch of three research papers (draft of first six pages)
November 15: second batch of research papers
November 22: third batch of research papers
November 29: discussion of research papers
December 6: research papers due
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Wm. Roger Louis
Kerr Professor of English History and Culture and Distinguished Teaching Professor
B.A. University of Oklahoma, 1959
M.A. Harvard University, 1960
D.Phil. Oxford University, 1962
D. Litt. Oxford University, 1979
Assistant and Associate Professor, Yale University, 1962-1970
Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin, 1970-1985
Director of British Studies, 1975 —
Kerr Professor 1985 —
Fellow of St. Antony’s College, Oxford, 1986 —
UT Distinguished Teaching Professor, 1999 —
Editor-in-Chief, Oxford History of the British Empire, 1992 —
Appointed Commander of the British Empire by the Queen for professional service, 1999
President of American Historical Association, 2001
Founding Director, AHA National History Center, 2001 —
US State Department Historical Advisory Committee, 2003 – 2009 (resigned on principle)
U.T. Professor of the Year, 2009
Kluge Chair, Library of Congress, 2010
Author or editor of some thirty books including Ends of British Imperialism (2006)
Edited books include Adventures with Britannia; More Adventures with Britannia; Still More Adventures with Britannia; Yet More Adventures with Britannia; Penultimate Adventures with Britannia; Ultimate Adventures with Britannia; Resurgent Adventures with Britannia; and Burnt Orange Britannia
Harry Ransom Center 3.202
512-471-9274
britishstudies@mail.utexas.edu hlg23@georgetown.edu
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Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 471-6259.