This course offers fresh ways of interpreting one of the landmarks of Scottish history. It avoids conventional political and economic approaches to the Highland Clearances, focussing instead upon ideologies: the intellectual, cultural and religious systems of belief which shaped and drove the process of change in the Scottish Highlands between 1745 and 1886.

15x 1-hour lectures and 5x 1-hour seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus. This is one of the honours options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

None.

None.

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Exam (2 hour): 60%. 

■ Essay (2,000 words): 20% 

■ Seminar presentation (5 mins): 10% 

■ Seminar oral contribution: 10% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the exam, but extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustment. 

■ There are no alternatives to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Recorded presentation or one-to-one presentation / discussion/Q&A with staff as alternative to presentation.

■ Written response to seminar material in advance or after seminar as alternative to seminar contribution.  

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Enhance knowledge by creating an understanding of the individuals, events, issues and ideologies which shaped the Highland Clearances.

■ Develop critical and analytical skills, through the study of primary and secondary texts embodying different perspectives, and through group discussion

■ Encourage student creativity in developing personal interpretations.

■ Synthesise these elements - knowledge, skills and creativity - in writing, oral presentation and seminar discussion.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Express a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of key primary and secondary texts for the Highland Clearances

■ Assess the individuals, events, issues and ideologies which shaped the Highland Clearances, their relative significance, and their interaction.

■ Indicate the role of ideologies relative to political and economic forces for the Highland Clearances, making your case in clear and concise prose and verbal argument.