In this course, you will learn material that will provide the necessary background for students who may have an interest in American Studies or Legal History.

You will learn by reading an interesting and detailed textbook written by the most prominent individuals in their respective fields.  Other course activities include suggested journal articles, power point presentations, instructor's short lectures on topics, museum visits, three examinations, Blackborad assignments, and a formal paper.

What you learn in this course will benefit you by the improvement of your reading and writing skills as well as a detailed knowledge of British History.  There are many other reasons for you to study British History.  It will provide you with an essential prerequisite for understanding the history of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia.   For example, the city of Alexandria has long maintained a connection with its sister city of Dundee, Scotland and has assiduously cultivated its inheritance from the past.  This is much in evidence during the Christmas Walk and other celebrations held in alexandria during the early weeks of December. 

Prerequisites

The following are required for entry into this course:

• You must have the ability to read and retain information.
• You must be able to communicate your ideas in writing 
• You  must have the ability to work independently.
• You  must be able to accept the responsibility for learning the social, economic, political and cultural evolution of English history without the assistance of the traditional  lecture-notetaking format.
• If you want to be successful in this course, you must be self-disciplined, self-motivated, and the persistence to learn the technology needed for this course.  You  must be willing to keep up with the reading, turn in your assignments on time, and take your exams in the Testing Center at the assigned period.

If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:

• understand the social, economic, political and cultural institutions of the British past and present.
• understand the background of American institutions and especially the legal system and the general history of North America.
• complete independent study projects that will provide an opportunity to pursue a specific goal at your own pace. 
• experience a wide range of course opportunities that will contribute to your intellectual development through reading assignments, journal articles, the research paper, field trips, and internet assignments.
• develop broad concepts that will help you understand collective behavior, conflict, British culture, regionalism, industrialization, religion, and modernization.
• improvement of your reading, writing, and communication skills.

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

There are 3 exams in this course.