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Gender and British Society, 1945-2000

Key information

  • Module code:

    7AAH3044

  • Level:

    7

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This module will examine the history of gender in Britain in the second half of the 20th century. The focus will be on the institutional changes in workplaces, politics, schools and universities, as well as the structural, demographic and emotional shifts within marriage and homes. We will consider how women’s lives changed through and after the Second World War, but also chart the relatively recent growth of historical interest in masculinities, considering the ‘new man’, lad culture and new subjectivities for men. The Women’s Liberation Movement will be set within the context of the shift to ‘permissiveness’ of the 1960s, and its legacy assessed. Students will be encouraged to read primary texts alongside secondary analysis, and to reflect on the demands and opportunities of writing the history of the recent past.

At the end of the module students will have:

  1. Acquired a detailed understanding of the history of gender in Britain in the second half of the 20th century;
  2. considered and understood the use of comparative analysis and a variety of methodologies within this field;
  3. acquired a detailed knowledge of the current historiography in this area;
  4. Understood the use of a diverse range of primary sources to analyse gender history; and
  5. Undertaken a detailed investigation into a particular topic in this field.

Assessment details

1 x 3,500 word essay (100%)

Teaching pattern

10 x 2 hour seminars (weekly)

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.