ole3039 

The Social History of Belfast and its Residents, 1798 to 1914 [OLE3039]

This module examines the social history of Belfast residents and how their lived experience was shaped by changes to the political, statutory, economic, demographic, local government and built environment of Belfast between the 1798 rising of the United Irishmen to the outbreak of the First World War. The nine themes that will be examined are:

  1. Crime and punishment, the rise of the police force, courts and prisons.
  2. Religion and church attendance.
  3. Party politics, the expanding franchise and national issues.
  4. The world of work and the industrial revolution.
  5. The rise of the labour movement.
  6. Local government and welfare.
  7. Leisure, pass times and hobbies.
  8. Education, training and employment
  9. Disease, illness and public health

Date

Meeting And Content

 

01-Oct-25

1.Introduction – Belfast 1798 To 1914

251001 – Belfast 1798 to 1914

08-Oct-25

2.Crime And Punishment, The Rise of The Police Forces, courts and prisons

 

15-Oct-25

3.Religion and Church Attendance

 

22-Oct-25

4.Party Politics, The Expanding Franchise and National Issues

 

29-Oct-25

5.The World of Work and the Industrial Revolution

 

05-Nov-25

6.The Rise of The Labour Movement

 

12-Nov-25

7.Local Government, Public Health and Welfare

 

19-Nov-25

8.Leisure, Pass Times and Hobbies

 

26-Nov-25

9.Education, Training and Employment

 

03-Dec-25

10.Disease, Illness and Public Health

 

 

Learning outcomes:

On successfully completing the module learners will be able to:

  • Develop a familiarity with the main events, movements and trends in the social history of modern Belfast between 1798 and 1914 within there Irish, British and European contexts.
  • Consider how the changes to the statutory framework, economy, demography, built environment and political landscape impacted on the social and lived experience of Belfast residents between 1798 and 1914.
  • If they undertake the written essay, to help develop skills to work effectively to locate historical sources and literature and communicate those ideas in a written form.