UCJAJNP066 Selected Chapters from British and Irish History

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Winter 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Diana Adamová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Veronika Nogolová, PhD. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Veronika Nogolová, PhD.
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable of Seminar Groups
UCJAJNP066/A: Thu 13:55–15:30 H6, D. Adamová, V. Nogolová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives

This course examines selected chapters in the histories of Scotland, Wales, England, and Ireland, from the early medieval period to the modern era. Rather than presenting a unified British history, it takes a thematic and comparative approach to explore key political, social, cultural, and economic developments. Topics include state formation, religious conflict, colonial and post-colonial dynamics, industrialization, national identity, and empire. Emphasis is placed on historiographical debates and primary source analysis, encouraging critical engagement with continuity, change, and contested historical narratives across the nations.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:




  • Critically assess key themes and historiographical debates in British and Irish history 
  • Analyse primary sources within their historical and cultural contexts 
  • Understand the interconnectedness of British and Irish historical developments 
  • Apply interdisciplinary methods to the study of history 
  • Present coherent, evidence-based arguments in written and oral form 
  • Reflect critically on historical memory, identity, and the politics of history-writing, particularly in relation to nationalism, empire, and post-conflict narratives in Britain and Ireland
Syllabus
  • 1.      Introduction to the course
  • 2.      Selected chapter from English history 1
  • 3.      Selected chapter from English history 2
  • 4.      Selected chapter from English history 3
  • 5.      Selected chapter from Scottish history 1
  • 6.      Selected chapter from Scottish history 2
  • 7.      Selected chapter from Scottish history 3
  • 8.      Selected chapter from Welsh history 1
  • 9.      Selected chapter from Welsh history 2
  • 10.   Selected chapter from Irish history 1
  • 11.   Selected chapter from Irish history 2
  • 12.   Selected chapter from Irish history 3
  • 13.   Course summary
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Campbell, Kenneth L. Ireland´s History: Prehistory to the Present. Bloomsbury, 2014.
  • Hawes, James. The Shortest History of England: Empire and Division from the Anglo-Saxons to Brexit—A Retelling for Our Times. The Experiment, 2022.
  • Kearney, Hugh. The British Isles: A History of Four Nations. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
  • Lynch, Michael. The Oxford Companion to Scottish History. Oxford University Press, 2007.
  • McDowall, David. An Illustrated history of Britain. Longman Group Limited, 2002.
  • Peberdy, Robert and Philip Waller. A Dictionary of British and Irish History. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2021.
  • Ross, David. Scotland: History of a Nation. Lomond Books, 2000.
  • Ross, David. Wales: History of a Nation. Geddes & Grosset, 2005.
Teaching methods
  • Group discussions and peer interaction, supporting collaborative learning and exchange of perspectives.
  • Student presentations or guided debates, allowing for independent research and critical argumentation.
  • Independent reading and reflection, fostering engagement with primary and secondary literature.
  • Comparative and thematic case studies designed to cultivate cross-regional analytical thinking and comparative methodology.
Assessment methods
  • Attendance min. 75%
  • Active participation in discussions
  • Written exam
Language of instruction
Czech
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/winter2026/UCJAJNP066