WEA Course Information Sheet2013-14
Course title:The Secret Streets of Charles BoothCourse reference:C3735018 / Tutor: Simon Hargrave
Venue: St Michael’s Church, Ashstead, Surrey / Fee:£79.00
Start date: 16-Jan-2014 / End date: / Day(s)/time(s):Thurs, 1.30-3.30
Number of sessions: 10 / Hours per session: 2 / Level: 3
Title of qualification to be gained (if any):This is a non-accredited course.On 80% attendance you can request a WEA Certificate of Achievement.
Awarding body (if any): N/A
Essential materials E.g. books and equipment to be provided by the student
A pen and paper will be useful for note-taking, print-outs will be provided.
Course aims:
A study of Charles Booth’s researches into the well-being of Victorian Londoners, the meaning and accuracy of his remarkable colour-coded street map.
Course description: (This is displayed on the WEA website.)Summarise the course and its content in 40 words or fewer.
Victorian philanthropist and social investigator Charles Booth produced a remarkable analysis of London streets and people. This course reviews his extensive sources, probes his findings and recognises his innovations and influence and examines in detail his extraordinary colour-coded street map.
Any prior knowledge or entry requirements?
No prior knowledge required, only an interest in social history, statistics or London.
Course content: what topics will the course cover?
Charles Booth’s background as social investigator and innovator, Booth’s sources for his findings (such as teachers, policemen, school board visitors), Booth’s inspiration for looking into the well-being of people in London, his findings and conclusions, his creation of a remarkable colour-coded street map, his role in the Royal Statistical Society and influence on data collected in the late nineteenth-century censuses, the concepts of Absolute and Relative poverty, the creation and definition of the Poverty Line, early sociology and statistics, Booth’s other research into trade unions, work and religion.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods:tick those to be used
Demonstration / Discussion / / Group work / / Individual work /
Project work / Research / / Role play / Written work /
Question and answer / / Activity outside class time / Observation / / Practical work
Presentation / / Field trip / Other (state)
How will I receive feedback on my learning progress and achievement?
There will be 1-1 assessment and feedback, any written work generated by students will be assessed, learner objectives will be assigned at the beginning of the course and assessed at the end.
Learning outcomes: these are the intended outcomes and may be revised in discussion with the class. Students are encouraged to think about and identify their own individual outcomes.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. / Articulate the reasons behind Charles Booths initial reasons for his research into the well-being of Londoners.
2. / Whilst taking into account the contradictory nature of Booth’s findings, express Booth’s main findings with reference to the levels of poverty in London.
3. / Place the work of Booth into the context of the time and the work of others, such as the Octavia Hill and JS Rowntree.
4. / Access some of the source material and maps available at the online Booth archive.
5. / Describe an overview of Booth’s life, achievements and work.
Reading and information sources:Is any reading/preparation essential or desirable?
No prior reading required.
Suggestions for progression to further study or for using the skills and knowledge gained:
Learners may wish to undertake walks in London, read specialised books, make use of the online Booth archive or study related subjects or periods through the WEA, or other university-based programmes.