Spring 2003
This course analyzes the expansion, consolidation, working and eventual disintegration of the modern British Empire (since 1783). We will examine not only British attitudes and policies toward empire, but related issues such as the creation of distinctive colonial cultures and the role that empire played in the growth of the British economy. We will also discuss some of the ways the major colonies were affected by British rule, including the growth of colonial nationalisms. We cannot, however, treat the general history of Britain or the varied histories of all its colonial territories.
Students are required to take the mid-term and final examinations, and to write one 10 to 12 page term paper based on the reading of George Orwell, Burmese Days. Credit will also be given for participation in class discussion.
The course textbooks (all in paperback) are George Orwell, Burmese
Days, Bernard Porter, The Lions Share, Thomas
Metcalf, Ideologies of the Raj, and Daniel Headrick,
Tools of Empire. The other assigned readings can be found
in a course reader at University Copy in the Durant-Channing arcade.
Week 1: Introduction - Empire & Imperialism (Jan. 21 &
23)
D.K. Fieldhouse, 'The British Empire; 1700-1815,' in The Colonial Empires,
pp. 55-83
Rudyard Kipling, 'The Man Who Would be King' and 'Beyond the Pale'
George Orwell, 'Shooting an Elephant'
Week 2: A New Empire and a New Ideology (Jan. 28 & 30)
Metcalf, Ideologies of the Raj, pp. 28-52
R. Robinson, 'Non-European Foundations of European Imperialism,' pp. 117-42
Thomas Macaulay, 'Minute on Indian Education'
John Stuart Mill, 'Representative Government', pp. 376-93
Week 3: Early British Expansion - East and West ( Feb. 4 &
6)
B. Porter, The Lions Share, pp. 1-73
D. Headrick, Tools of Empire, pp. 58-126
Week 4: British Settlers Overseas (Feb. 11 & 13)
R. Huttenback, British Imperial Experience, pp. 20-37
R. Hughes, The Fatal Shore, pp. 158-202, 323-67
J. Belich, Victorian Interpretation of Racial Conflict,
pp. 15-25, 291-335
Week 5: Sugar, Slaves, and Missionaries
(Feb. 18 & 20)
Philip Curtin, The Plantation Complex, pp. 113-43, 173-88
Philip Curtin, The Image of Africa, vol. 2, pp. 363-87
D. Livingstone, Missionary Travels, pp. 1-45
Week 6: The Mid-Victorian Empire (Feb. 25 &
27)
Metcalf, Ideologies, pp. 52-65
Headrick, Tools of Empire, pp. 129-90
R. Robinson & J. Gallager, 'Imperialism of Free Trade,' pp. 1-15
Eric Hobsbawm, Industry and Empire, pp. 134-53
Week 7: The Raj: India Under the Crown (Mar.
4 & 6)
Metcalf, Ideologies, pp. 66-159
Benjamin Disraeli, 'Speech on the Royal Titles Bill' (1876)
M. Sinha, 'Gender and Imperialism'
F. Hutchins, Illusion of Permanence, chs. 2 & 5
MID-TERM EXAMINATION March 11
Week 8: The New Imperialism (Mar. 11 & 13)
Porter, The Lions Share, pp. 74-167
R. Koeber, 'Emergence of the Concept of Imperialism,' pp. 726-41
C.C. Eldridge, England's Mission, pp. 206-33
Benjamin Disraeli, 'Crystal Palace Speech' (1872), pp. 1-8
Week 9: The Boer War & The Crisis of Empire
(Mar. 18 & 20)
Metcalf, Ideologies, pp. 160-214
Porter, The Lions Share, pp. 167-95
Atmore & Marks, 'Imperial Factor in South Africa,' pp. 105-39
Week 10: The Edwardian Empire (Apr. 1 & 3)
Rudyard Kipling, selected poetry
J.M. Mackenzie, 'The Imperial Pioneer and Hunter,' pp. 176-98
Begin reading George Orwell, Burmese Days
Week 11: The Origins of Colonial Nationalism
(Apr. 8 & 10)
George Orwell, Burmese Days
N. Chaudhuri, 'Autobiography of an Unknown Indian,' in Modern
India Anthology, pp. 303-22
S. Rudolph, 'The New Courage,' pp. 323-41
TERM PAPER DUE April 15
Week 12: World War and After (Apr. 15 & 17)
Porter, Lions Share, pp. 233-302
J. Richards, 'Boys Own Empire: Feature Films and Imperialism in the 1930s,'
pp. 140-63
Week 13: The Colonial Empire in the 20th Century
(Apr. 22 & 24)
M. Crowder, West Africa Under Colonial Rule, pp. 198-235,
345-53
Doris Lessing, 'The Old Chief Mshlanga,' pp. 3-13
Week 14: Decline and Fall (Apr. 29 & May
1)
Porter, Lions Share, pp. 303-64
Metcalf, Ideologies, pp. 222-34
H. Kureishi, 'London and Karachi,' pp. 270-87
Week 15: Review (May 6 & 8)
No assignment
