Crime and Punishment in Early Modern London



Overview

This course encourages you to dive into the tumultuous world of early modern London to better understand how these pressing concerns – crime and punishment – influenced life at the time and how they have been interpreted by modern scholars.

We will explore topics such as the investigation of murders, the hangings at Tyburn and Execution Dock, the display of criminal cadavers, the rising threat of highway robbery, the gendered nature of some crimes, and the changes in the law which captivated contemporaries and continue to fascinate us today.

Crime and punishment in the early modern period have generated rich records and we will spend some time looking at primary sources. We will read trial records, legal handbooks, and coroners' investigations, alongside sensationalist pamphlets, and broadside ballads.

Programme details

Course starts: 3rd Oct 2024

Week 1: Introduction: Crime and Punishment in Early Modern London.

Week 2: What is a crime? Making law and enforcing law.

Week 3: Gendered crime and gendered punishment.

Week 4: Property Crimes: Burglary, Housebreaking, Theft, Pickpockets, Shoplifters, and Receivers.

Week 5: Witchcraft: Why are there so few witches in London?

Week 6: Murder, Treason, and Displaying the Executed.

Week 7: Smuggling, Piracy and Other Crimes at Sea.

Week 8: Highway Robbery and Riot.

Week 9: Transportation and the Rise of the Police. 

Week 10: Conclusion.

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Anna Cusack

Anna completed her PhD in 2021 at Birkbeck, University of London, prior to this she undertook an MPhil in early modern history at the University of Cambridge and a BA (Hons) also at Birkbeck.

She has taught at the University of Essex, Birkbeck, University of London, and Canterbury Christ Church and held several research fellowships at various institutions. Anna also has a background in heritage management. 

Course aims

To provide an understanding of crime and punishment in early modern London.

Course objective:

  • By the end of this course, you will be equipped to discern the connections between early modern debates about social issues and those of today, and to think critically about the continued relevance of past concerns about violence, theft, and punishment in the twenty-first century.

Teaching methods

Preparation for each class is essential. You are expected to have read at least the essential readings or carry out the activity set out prior to each class and preferably looked at some of the other items, listed for each week. Discussion and debate are the most important parts of this course, which is only possible if you are willing to contribute your thoughts and analysis of the issues covered in the readings. It is not necessary that you read every item thoroughly – the art of skimming is a crucial skill – but taking notes while you read will make it easier for you to contribute to the conversation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be expected to:

  • understand the complexities and changeability of crime and punishment in early modern London and how it influences us today.

Assessment methods

The assessment for this class is one museum-style caption project and presentation mid-way through the course, and one essay at the end. You will choose to answer one of the set questions provided at the start of the course. 

Writing your essay: You will receive more guidance on producing coursework during the course.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting their final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support