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Trade Unionism in Modern Britain - CED00227C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. James Parker
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module aims to introduce students to the history of trade unionism in modern Britain, exploring the economic, political, social and cultural context of unions in the period, from organisation and ideology to class, gender and race.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to introduce students to the history of trade unionism in modern Britain, exploring the
economic, political, social and cultural context of unions in the period, from organisation and ideology to class, gender and race.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the key developments of the period.
  • Analyse primary historical sources, distinguishing the different social, political and cultural concerns examined.
  • Contextualise the history of trade unionism within an understanding of key themes in modern British history.
  • Understand and examine the key historical trends in this period.

Module content

1. The nineteenth-century background
2. Varieties of trade unionism
3. Organising Women
4. Syndicalism
5. Strikes, media and the government
6. Unions and Labour politics
7. British unions and the wider world
8. Unions, class, and masculinity
9. Unions and race in post-war Britain
10. Unions in popular culture
11. The ‘enemy within’? Unions, Thatcherism and beyond

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Critical essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Critical essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted. The assessment feedback is as per the university’s system, written on the relevant documents.

Indicative reading

  • Alastair J. Reid, United we stand: a history of Britain's trade unions (2004).
  • H. A. Clegg, A history of British trade unions since 1889 (3 vols, 1964-94).
  • Sarah Boston, Women workers and the trade union movement (2015).
  • Ben Pimlott & Chris Cook (eds.), Trade Unions in British Politics (1991).
  • Henry Pelling, A History of British Trade Unionism (1987).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.