Dr Patrick Wallis C414

This course is available on the MA Global Studies: A European Perspective, MSc in Economic History, MSc in Economic History (Research), MSc in Global History, MSc in International and World History (LSE & Columbia) and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course explores the experiences and organisation of work in Europe before industrialisation, and explores some of the initial impact of industrialisation on the organisation and experiences of the labour force. An introductory session introduces the key themes and context. Over the next nine weeks we examine the major subjects in the economic and social history of labour in the early modern period and how they developed up to the early 19th century. Issues covered will include (but not be limited to): how was work organised? How were skills acquired? What kinds of work did women and children do? How did work differ in town and countryside? Did the intensity of work change? What political identity and impact did workers have? The course discusses the range of European experiences, but has a particular focus on developments in Britain, where labour first faced industrialisation.

20 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.
Twenty hours of seminars. One seminar in the ST

One essay of 2,500 words, one presentation and short weekly assignments.

J. De Vries, The Industrious Revolution (2008); P. Wallis, 'Training and Apprenticeship', Journal of Economic History (2008); J. Farr, Hands of Honour (1998); S. Ogilvie, A Bitter Living (2003); Epstein & Prak, Guilds, innovation and the European Economy (2008); Kussmaul, Servants in husbandry (1981); A. Wood, Politics of Social Conflict (1999); Sonenscher, Work and Wages (1991); Allen, Enclosure and the Yeoman (1992); Hay and Craven, Masters, servants and magistrates (2004).

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

This course was not taught last year.