Honors 351:
A Lion in Winter: The United Kingdom from 1906-2016
Spring 2025 | University of Wisconsin - Milfwaukee
Course Instructor: Dr. Lane Sunwall
Course Room: Honors House 155 (Seminar Room)
Course Meeting Time: Tues and Thurs - 11:30 - 12:45p
Office Hours:
● Tues 2:45-3:45p - Engelmann Hall B78A (or Zoom)
● Thurs 12:45-1:45p - Honors House 155 (or wherever we meet)
● If these hours don’t work, please feel free to schedule alternate meeting times
Office Location: B78A Engelmann Hall (enter via B50)
Mailbox: B50 Engelmann Hall
Email: sunwall@uwm.edu
Course Learning Objectives
“For unless wisdom exists in some act by which it may exercise its power, it is empty and false. . . ”
Lactantius
The Divine Institutes, III:16
Master Historical Methods and Modern Research Tools
Discover how historians train and how they do their work.
● Gain skill in reading primary sources from the past contextually, empathetically, and critically, and in reading and evaluating modern scholarly writings with understanding and insight.
● Learn to read defensively and analyze complex historical texts efficiently
● Master a comprehensive research toolkit that combines traditional methods (libraries, archives, interlibrary loan) with cutting-edge AI tools and search technologies
● Create your own unique questions from historical content, and learn how to construct strong historical arguments based on evidence and clear reasoning.
● Become more confident in presenting your ideas to others, as writers and public speakers.
● Cultivate collaborative skills for building knowledge collectively,
● Nurture the intellectual virtues of curiosity, open-mindedness, and humility in the face of historical complexity
Develop a deeper understanding of Modern Britain
Spark and nourish your fascination with history in general and the history of the UK in particular.
● Analyze Britain's transformation from imperial power to modern European state (1900-2016)
● Examine the evolution of British institutions, society, and culture through periods of profound change
● Evaluate Britain's changing international relationships and global influence
● Understand how historical developments in Britain continue to shape contemporary global issues
Acquire Transferable Skills for Academic and Professional Success
The skills that you will practice in this course are not confined to the discipline of history; they will be useful to you regardless of where your lives take you.
● Master research techniques that combine traditional academic rigor with AI-enhanced capabilities
● Develop critical thinking skills applicable across disciplines and careers
● Build proficiency in both individual and collaborative work environments
● Learn to effectively integrate AI tools while maintaining academic integrity and original thinking
● Cultivate professional communication skills across various mediums
Apply Course Knowledge and Skills to Personal Growth
Transform historical knowledge into practical wisdom that you can apply throughout life.
● Develop a nuanced understanding of how past events shape present circumstances
● Learn to think critically about complex social, political, and cultural changes over time
● Apply historical thinking skills to personal and professional decision-making
Required Texts
All course texts are available free digitally or via hard copy. Instructions on how to access these texts are below. Inexpensive copies of these texts are likewise available from local and online bookstores.
● Peter Clarke, Hope and Glory: Britain 1900-1990 (Penguin, 2003), 978-0141011752
○ Hard copy available: Library Reserves
○ Digital copy: Internet Archive
● Kenneth O. Morgan, The People’s Peace: Britain since 1945 (Oxford Press, 2021) 978-0198841074
○ Hard copy available: Library Reserves (1999)
○ Digital copy: Library Reserves (2021), Internet Archive (1999)
● Tony Rennell, Last Days of Glory: The Death of Queen Victoria (St. Martin’s, 2002) 978-0312302863
○ Hard copy available: Library Reserves
● Paula Bartley, Emmeline Pankhurst (Routledge, 2002) 978-0415206518
○ Hardcopy: Library Reserves
○ Digital Copy: Library
● John Keegan, Winston Churchill (Penguin, 2002) 978-0670030798
○ Hard copy available: Library Reserves
● Bill Buford, Among the Thugs (Vintage, 1993) 978-0679745358
○ Hard copy available: Library Reserves
● Niall Ferguson, Empire: The rise and demise of the British world order and the lessons for global power (Basic Books, 2003) 978-0465023295
○ Digital Copy: Library
Communication and Office Hours
One of my favorite aspects of teaching includes meeting with students outside of structured class time. I strongly encourage you to come to office hours any time during the semester, whether to discuss a problem or question you’ve encountered with course materials or the writing process or simply to explore an idea. I hold regular office hours, listed above. If you have a schedule conflict during those times, let me know and we can arrange another time to meet.
The best way to reach me is via email (sunwall@uwm.edu). I check email regularly and will try to respond within 24 hours. Often I can reply sooner than that, but on weekends response time may be up to 48 hours.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism—representing the work of an AI program or somebody else as your own—is a serious violation of ethical and academic standards. You must turn in your own work and cite sources carefully, whether you repeat someone else’s exact words or paraphrase or draw on the ideas of another writer. If you have specific questions about what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Course Requirements
Attend and participate fully in every class meeting.
Since this is a discussion-based seminar, your learning experience and the success of the course depend on your coming to every session prepared to engage in the week’s assignment. This means reading each text closely and thoughtfully and coming to class ready to discuss your insights and questions. You must attend all class sessions; absences will be excused only in cases of illness or emergency. Any unexcused absence will reduce your final course grade. Please come to each session: the success of the course rests with you!
(25% of grade)
Weekly and Short Assignments.
By the end of this semester I hope that you will have a thorough understanding of the work done by historians and how you can apply this to your own studies (even outside of history). Thus throughout the semester, you will be assigned a series of short assignments that will prepare you to participate in discussion and familiarize you with historical study. Submissions made after the due date are worth a maximum of 50% of the original.
(30% of grade)
Original Research Paper of between 10-15 pages.
This is the central assignment of the course, and we will do a number of exercises along the way towards completing it. As history is not completed in isolation, you will not be alone in the construction of this paper. You will be given special help by library assistants, class-time will be dedicated towards writing and editing, and you will be given peer evaluation from your fellow classmates.
(All scaffolded assignments + research paper will account for 25% of grade)
Reflection Essays on Historical Research and Writing
Throughout this semester, you will be asked to keep a short journal chronicling what you have learned about the role and impact of AI on your work, historical research and writing, and how you can apply that to your wider learning and career goals. Toward the end of the semester, you will be asked to compile these reflections into one essay, between 3-5 pages highlighting what you learned about historical research and writing and how you will use both.
(journal + essay will account for 15% of your grade)
Class Symposium
Toward the end of the semester, we will hold a class symposium in which we will present (in a manner of your choice) your research content.
(class symposium will account for 5% of your grade)
Grading Scheme
● 25% - Active Discussion Participation
● 30% - Weekly and Short Assignments
● 30% - Research Paper
● 5% - Journal Entries + Reflection Essays on Historical Research and Writing
● 10% - Class Symposium
Statements
Accommodations
Please let Dr. Sunwall know – preferably during the first two weeks of class – if you have a documented disability and need any special accommodations in the curriculum, instruction, or assessments of this course to enable you to participate fully. I will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality of the information you share with me. If you have (or think you might have) such special requirements, you are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Resource Center (https://uwm.edu/arc/) with questions about campus disability-related policies and services.
Asking for Help
Please ask for help! My entire purpose for teaching this class is to help you become the best researchers, analysts, writers, and speakers – the best historians – that you can be by the end of the semester. I can do that best if you ask when you’re confused, frustrated or discouraged. If you’re confused, or overwhelmed, it is very likely others in the class are as well - help yourself, help your classmates - ask for assistance!
Course Schedule
Week 1 | Intro and Overview - Jan 21, 23
Tuesday
● Course Introduction
● Reading Strategies
● Prep for Library Day 1
Thursday
● Library Day 1 | Meet in Golda Meir Library (GML) Room W315
■ “Six Thinking Hats” Activity
■ Primary Source Searching
Week 2 | Intro and Overview 1900-1929 - Jan 28, 30
Tuesday
● Peter Clarke - Chapters 1-4
● Beth McMurtrie, “Is this the end of reading?” The Chronicle of Higher Education, 70:19 (24 May 2024)
Thursday
● Library Day 2 | GML Room 190B
■ “Will it Research” AI activity
Week 3 | 1900-1929 The Aristocracy - Feb 4, 6
Tuesday
● Course Introduction
● Reading Strategies
● Peter Clarke - Chapters 1-4
● Last Days of Glory
Thursday
● Library Day 3 | GML Room 194A
■ Topic Charting and Primary Source Exploration
Week 4 | The Aristocracy The Suffragettes - Feb 11, 13
Tuesday
● Last Days of Glory
● Emmeline Pankhurst
Thursday
● Library Day 4 | GML Room 190B
■ Databases and searching library catalog
Week 5 | The People’s War - Feb 18, 20
Tuesday
● Peter Clarke Chapters 5-6
● Keegan - Winston Churchill
Thursday
● Discuss personal reflection project with small group
Friday
● Friday, 21 February, 11:59pm - Paper Reflection Project due
Week 6 | The People’s Peace - Feb 25, 27
Tuesday
● Morgan Chapters 1-3 (130pgs)
● Selected Essays by JRR Tolkien
Thursday
● Visit to Marquette Archives to visit Tolkien archives
Week 7 | 1951-1961 - Mar 4, 6
Tuesday
● Morgan chapters 4-5
● Clarke chapter 8
Thursday
○ Niall Ferguson and AI Article Discussions
Week 8 | 1960s - Mar 11, 13
Tuesday 3/11
● Morgan chapters 6-8 (145pages)
● Clarke chapter 9 (35pages)
Thursday 3/13
● Short Readings
● Abstract Peer Review and Overview of Final Assignment
Friday 3/14
● Abstract Due
Week 9 | Spring Break - Mar 18, 20 - NO CLASS
Week 10 | Research Week - Mar 25, 27 - NO REGULAR CLASS
Tuesday 3/25
● No Class or Primary Reading for Tuesday - Spend time working on project
Thursday 3/27
● No Class or Primary Reading for Tuesday - Spend time working on project
Week 11 | Winter of Discontent: 1970-1979 - Apr 1, 3
Tuesday
● Morgan - chapters 9-11 (135pages)
● Clarke - chapter 10 (40pages)
Thursday
● British cultural exports group project
Friday
● Optional - Give Dr. Sunwall (at least 5 pages) PAPER draft of paper (in class, or drop off at Office B50, Engelmann Hall). He will review and give back with comments by April 11th. This is not worth extra credit, but it will (almost guaranteed) improve the final grade you receive on the paper. Also, check out the Writing Center!
Week 12 | 1979-2001 - Apr 8, 10
Tuesday
● Morgan - chapters 12-14 (140pages)
● Clarke chapter 11 (40pages)
Thursday
●
● Send peer reviewers a minimum of 5 pages
Week 13 | Football and the Working Classes - Apr 15, 17
Tuesday
●
● Sunderland Till I Die
● In-class time devoted to symposium preparation. Discuss your peer review with partners. Turn in electronic copy of peer review to Dr. Sunwall
Thursday
● Discussion of Among the Thugs and Sunderland Till I Die.
Week 14 | Course Symposium - Apr 22, 24
Tuesday
● 6-7 minute oral presentations of paper
Thursday
● 6-7 minute oral presentations of paper
Friday
● Optional - Undergraduate Symposium - participation will boost final project grade by 10%
Week 15 | The New Millennium - April 29, May 1
Tuesday
● Morgan - Chapters 15-16 (80pgs)
● Chapter - Chapter 12 and epilogue (pgs 401-443) (40 pgs)
Thursday
● Methodology: Marketing yourself
Friday
● May 2, 11:59pm - Final draft of paper is due
Evaluation of a “Grand Narrative”
Week 16 | Empire - May 6, 8
Tuesday
● Discussion of Empire (2004), by Niall Ferguson
● Looking Back - Overview of course
Thursday
● Library Day 6 | History research and relationships panel GML Digital Humanities Lab
○ Featuring bagels and coffee
Friday
●
Week 17 | Exam Week - May 13, 15
Tuesday
● No Class
Thursday
● No Class
Friday, 16 May, Reflection Essay Due
How AI was used in this text: AI was utilized in a similar manner as a course assistant. AI (ChatGPT 4o, Claude 3.5, Gemini Advanced 1.5 Pro, others) was used to organize dates, restructure and rewrite notes. All AI content was edited, remixed, and vetted. All responsibility for the accuracy of this syllabus falls on me as author.