British History 1815-Present The spectacular rise and dramatic decline of Britain’s imperial and industrial power is the central theme of this course. The century after 1815 brought political and social reform and the apogee of middle class culture, but in 1914 the crucial problems of women's rights, labor against capital, and Irish nationalism remained unsolved. War, economic depression and the loss of empire followed. The Labour Party envisaged a welfare state and social contract for post-war Britain; the conservative response was free-market Thatcherism. Today, Britain continues to exemplify the promise and perils of what can be called modernity.

Race in the British Empire, 1580-1960 Race was a significant factor in the formation of Britain’s global empire.  Within the British Isles, the Irish and Highland Scots were racialized as “Celts.”  In the Americas, race shaped relations with indigenous peoples and defined systems of Black enslavement.  Later, it informed British expansionism in South Asia, the Pacific and Africa, as well as eugenics policies and responses to independence movements.  This course examines shifting interpretations of racial categories within Britain itself and the British empire overseas, from the Tudor period down to the beginning of large-scale immigration into Britain from South Asia and the Caribbean. 3 hr. sem.

British History: 1603-1815 The medieval pattern of English and Scottish society began to implode in the seventeenth century. The unity of the Church, the relationship between Crown and Parliament, even the social hierarchy, were shaken to their foundations. After generations of civil war, revolution, and party strife, the eighteenth century saw the establishment of a flexible, oligarchic order, able to fight off the challenges of radicalism and the American and French revolutions. By 1815 Britain, at the peak of its power in Europe, was already beginning to experience the tensions incumbent on becoming the first industrial nation. Pre-1800

Writing History In this course students discuss historical methods and writing strategies to create convincing historical narratives. With the approval and guidance of the professor, students complete a 20-25-page research paper based on primary and secondary sources. Students take this course in the fall of their junior year or with permission in the spring.  If students are away for the entire junior year, they can take the course in the fall of their senior year. 3 hr. sem.

Society and Culture in Early Modern Europe War, famine, and disease marked the terrible "iron century" of European history, from 1550 to 1660. Out of this frightful crucible, modern society was created. We will trace this troubled genesis from the aftershocks of the Reformation to the first rumblings of the French Revolution, stressing the conflicts that gave rise to the modern world: monarchy vs. "liberty," religion vs. "enlightenment," elite vs. popular culture. Topics such as the family, witchcraft, warfare, and fashion will be given special attention. Pre-1800 3 hr lect/disc.

Magic and the Occult in Early Modern Europe Magical and occult thinking have played central roles in Western European culture, a point often overlooked or downplayed by historians who have concentrated on the development of rational thought and the decline of “superstition.”  Belief in the ability of human beings to interpret or manipulate supernatural powers shaped popular practices aimed at dealing with everyday problems as well as intellectual theories designed to explain the world.  We will examine both the popular and intellectual sides of magic, and how they came together with brutal force in the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Pre-1800

Love and Death in Western Europe, 1300-1900 History is not just names and dates; it also encompasses how ordinary people lived and  felt.  Emotions have a history because they have changed over time.  This seminar deals with aspects of the history of desire and fear in Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the industrial era.  Topics will include sex, marriage, child-rearing, disease, suicide, and the belief in immortality.  In addition to works of historical analysis, we will read literary and theoretical sources, including Dante, Goethe, and Freud.  Our aim is to understand how common emotions have been altered by social and cultural circumstances.

Paul Monod

Reviews and ratings for Paul Monod at Middlebury College.Paul Monod teaches British History: 1815-Present, Race in the British Empire, British History: 1603-1815 and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Paul Monod good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Great course, Monod does a wonderful job surveying contemporary British History. He is a bit of a tough grader, but if you attend all the lectures and do the readings you should be fine. Also be warned that in the beginning of the course he will say that the lectures are optional, but he very much keeps track of who attends the lectures. 

Professor Monod is very knowledgeable and passionate about British history. His exams are fine if you pay attention to the lectures. He makes the discussion sections fun by bringing objects he collected. Great course

Unfortunately, this was Professor Monod's last semester before retiring - I would have loved to take more classes with him if I had the chance. He was very detailed in lectures and we had 2 papers throughout the semester and a final exam at the end. Lots of reading was due at the end of each week and I often couldn't get to it all.