Risk and Disasters in the Nineteenth Century British Urban Environment (U03330)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCL-3-RAD

This is a new course which will examine the relationship between the built environment and natural resources within nineteenth century British cities. Building on growing academic interest in environmental history and, more specifically, urban environmental history, the course will explore the impact of the built environment on the natural environment, but also nature’s influence on urban development, which often took a dramatic, even destructive, role in shaping urban growth. In so doing, the course will also examine the ways in which cities controlled the risks and crises associated with environmental problems like fire, pollution, dirt, and natural disasters. It is anticipated that this course will be of interest to a wide range of students, including those in economic and social history, history, Scottish history, social and political studies, geography and environmental studies. The course builds on Dr. Ewen’s current research, which is concerned with the perceptions and realities of risk and disaster in nineteenth century British cities, focusing especially on the impact of fires on urban development and resilience.

? Keywords : Risk, Disasters, Environment, Urban

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass in any first level historical course and any second level historical coursse or equivalent.

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Risk and Disasters in the Nineteenth Century British Urban Environment (VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Economic and Social History, (School of History and Classics, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	14:50	Central
Lecture	Friday	14:00	15:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Please note: the Friday session lasts 2.00-3.30, not the stanard 2-3.50 teaching period.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students undertaking this course will acquire:
• A substantive knowledge of the history and historiography of the British urban environment and disaster during the period 1800-1914;
• An ability to deploy both historical and social scientific concepts and theories in analysing the events and responses of cities to disasters and crises, and in attempting to harness natural resources like water in improving urban life;
• An ability to handle key primary sources related to nineteenth century British urban environmental history, including parliamentary reports, newspaper accounts, maps and contemporary books.