Engage in a critical examination of the connections that forged the modern world, using Oxford’s history as a primary lens. Through guided readings, discussions, field visits, and guest speakers, explore the beginning of the university’s history in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, which situated England within the sphere of European empire, and the role the university played in the great religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th century. Consider the manner in which the “imperial university” promoted and reflected the imperial endeavours of Victorian England, then delve into the university’s history in the aftermath of decolonization and change. Finally, examine how Oxford’s past continues to inform the global present.
