The Stuarts were the first kings of the United Kingdom. King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England, thus combining the two thrones for the first time. The period saw a flourishing Court culture but also upheaval and instability, contributing to a bloody civil war resulting in a parliamentary victory for Oliver Cromwell and the dramatic execution of King Charles I. Then followed the short-lived Republic, and the death of its Protector, Cromwell, James II, William and Mary of Orange, Queen Anne and the Act of Settlement in 1701. We will look at these events, the changing position of the landed gentry in politics and administration, and the transformation of a medieval society and economy into a more modern structure.
Course aim
The Stuart dynasty reigned in England and Scotland from 1603 to 1714 - the course will examine the factors, religious, constitutional, and demographic which led to Civil War between Crown and Parliament (the Cavaliers and the Roundheads) and beyond.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- discuss the structure of the Stuart society and culture
- understand the factors which laid down the foundations of English commercial prosperity
- appreciate the compromise which led to the concept of Parliamentary Monarchy
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
Download full course information sheet
