1953: Monarchs and Murders (V1446)
Time and Place: 1953: Monarchs and Murders
Module V1446
Module details for 2023/24.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
In 1953 the British press and public were fixated on two events unfolding in the nation’s capital. The first was the coronation of Elizabeth II, the most extensive staging of royal spectacle in Britain during the mid-twentieth century. The second was the discovery in a decaying Victorian house in North Kensington, of the bodies of the murdered victims of serial killer John Christie. On this module you will explore what these two parallel events tell us about society and culture in Britain at the dawn of the ‘New Elizabethan Age’. What does the coronation tell us about the extraordinary resilience of the British monarchy in the modern era? How far was monarchy understood through new cultural formations, notably the rise of celebrity culture? How did the fortunes of the monarchy relate to those of the aristocracy? What does the coronation - the last great imperial display - suggest was the status of empire in Britain at mid-century? How far did press coverage of the Christie murders reflect contemporary concerns about sexuality, race and immigration? Primary sources for this module include popular newspapers, Mass-Observation surveys and film.
Module learning outcomes
To understand a historical moment by reference to the particular context in which it occurred.
To communicate the importance of locality in history and the specificity of particular historical events.
To supply evidence for these skills in essays that distil information provided in course lectures and in class discussion.
To understand a sustained argument based on secondary and primary source material.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | A2 Week 2 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 10101010100 |
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Hana Qugana
Assess convenor
/profiles/526043
Prof Martin Francis
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/370844
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