1387-1487 England in the Drama and Change of the End of the Middle Ages

Course aim

Changes, developments and life in time of turmoil, England in the final century before the Tudors seize control. We aim to identify aspects of everyday life, cultural changes and drama as the rival claimants begin to struggle for the throne.

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
• You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• 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.
• This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• No skills or experience needed

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• Identify key examples of art, architecture and literature from the period and locate examples.
• Chart changes in the monarchy and explain why so many changes occurred in a relatively short period.
• Explain the background of the Beaufort family from founding to eventual triumph on Bosworth field, and identify local sites with a Beaufort connection.
• Describe roles of local people caught up in dramatic events of the period and locate them in your region.
• Discuss possible reasons for the emergence of a reformed church in the form of the Lollards, explain the nature of the movement and identify local connections.

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
• You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
• 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
• You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
• You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning

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 also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
• 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
• Nothing else is needed

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
• The tutor will suggest useful additional books and other resources. Students may also recommend relevant books and resources that they have found helpful and interesting

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• Progress to a course with another provider
• Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next