This specialist level six module explores the historical geography of Victorian London. It focuses primarily on the economic, social and cultural histories of nineteenth-century London, emphasising the role of class, gender and ‘race’ in shaping the geographies metropolitan life. As such the module engages with a number of broader theoretical debates in urban studies and allied disciplines. The historical geography of the metropolis itself is explored thematically by focusing on some of the ‘real’ and ‘imagined’ landscapes and spaces within which Victorian Londoners lived, worked and played. These include: the East End and the West End, economic spaces, domestic spaces (including the slums and the suburbs), institutional spaces, imperial landscapes, streets, cemeteries, parks, music halls, pubs, gentleman’s clubs and other sites of leisure. Not only does this provide an innovative structure and focus for the module, it also enables the spatiality of Victorian London life to be highlighted. While taking this approach, the module provides an account of the important historical changes that occurred in London over the nineteenth century. There will be four field walks around the West End, East End, Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets Cemetery and visits to the Geffrye Museum and the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre.
