February 12, 201016 yr University slammed for dropping pre-1700 UK history from syllabus just one week after budget cuts By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 6:03 PM on 12th February 2010 Comments (53) Add to My Stories A leading university has been attacked for scrapping teaching into English history before 1700 in order to comply with savage Government budget cuts. Academics claim that Sussex University's cutbacks 'will deprive graduates of the mental furniture of educated Europeans'. Among the periods that will no longer feature on the university curriculum under the new plans are the Civil Wars, the Tudors, the Anglo-Saxons and the Viking invasion. Cutbacks: The Tudors, including the life and times of Henry VIII, is one of the pre- 1700 periods that will no longer feature on the curriculum at Sussex University The university has also decided to ditch studies into the history of continental Europe prior to 1900, meaning there will be no research into the Roman Empire. The Government last week told universities across the country that their budgets will be slashed by £449million next year, with further cuts to come. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said colleges should focus their resources on their strongest areas. Following a £3million cut in funding, Sussex University said it is 'reshaping' its curriculum. But, in a letter to the Daily Telegraph, 17 leading historians who studied at the institution have blasted its decision to abandon the research into English and European history. They wrote: 'To cut everything but the most modern puts in peril the public function of history, entrenching the arrogance of the present and making a mockery of the claim by the minister behind these cuts that "we also wish to keep this country civilised"... 'For a university which has long prided itself on its European links to abandon the serious study of such pivotal areas of modern history as the French Revolution will mean depriving Sussex graduates of the mental furniture of educated Europeans. 'The university risks damaging its reputation as a centre of knowledge for European culture and history more widely.' Academics have criticised Sussex University's decision. The history of the Viking invasions that began in the 8th century will also be off the curriculum The letter was signed by historians from universities including Nottingham, Southampton, Trinity College Dublin, Michigan, Sydney University and the University of London Institute in Paris. They called on Sussex University to halt proposals to withdraw from 'research, and research-led teaching, in English social history before 1700 and the history of continental Europe before 1900'. Professor Paul Layzell, deputy vice-chancellor at the university, said: 'The proposal put forward by the University of Sussex to withdraw from certain areas of research and specialist teaching in history reflects three factors. 'First, a strategic determination to focus our research in areas of sustainability and strength; second, to align undergraduate provision with areas of demonstrable demand; and, thirdly, a need to reflect the Government’s financial policy for higher education. 'The history degree at Sussex, as befits a programme offered by one of the top 20 departments in the country, will continue to be broad based and intellectually challenging.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250482/University-slammed-dropping-pre-1700-UK-history-syllabus-just-week-budget-cuts.html#ixzz0fLgR9cDI
February 12, 201016 yr Among the periods that will no longer feature on the university curriculum under the new plans are the Civil Wars, the Tudors, the Anglo-Saxons and the Viking invasion.They don't need to study the invasion of Mayfair, they passed that exam last night!
February 12, 201016 yr Sing it with me now.. "Oh, Henry the eighth I am I am, Henry the Eighth I am.." How does the rest go - I'm rusty on these fine English drinking songs.. Don't let it slip away!! Henry's a legend for all times!! Fix it, Ian!!;):crown:
February 12, 201016 yr Hermans Hermits! I'm a Henry the Eighth I am:). [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dK9FNPgA4]YouTube - Hermans Hermits-I'm a Henry the Eighth I Am[/ame]
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