Short course
London Rebuilt: the Great Fire, the Blitz and the Making of Modern London
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
15/04/2027 - 17/06/202714:00 - 16:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
London has been a city of expansion since its foundation by the Romans and buildings survive from the early medieval period including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall. However there has also been destruction caused by fires. The greatest was the Great Fire of 1660, recorded in pictures as well and diaries. It destroyed much of the medieval city of wooden buildings to be replaced by one of brick and stone, and numerous churches by Christopher Wren.
This course will examine the significance of the Great Fire of London in 1666 through pictures, maps and the words of Pepys, and how it led to the rebuilding in brick and stone and especially the contribution of Wren. This resulted in the City depicted in the paintings of Canaletto and Samuel Scott. We will also study the destruction of the city as a result of aerial bombardment between 1940 and 1945 through photographs, drawings and paintings. We will study the implications of post-war planning which destroyed much of what remained of the Georgian and Victorian city and changed the skyline from one of spires to high-rise towers.
We will also look at the development of suburbs from the 1930s and post war periods and the development of New towns in the green-belt. Lastly we will ask if London is a better place as a result of 21st century development.
The course will be illustrated by slides of paintings drawings, photographs and maps, as well as synopses provided by the tutor at the commencement of each class.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Contact the team
Phone: +44 (0)1865 280900
Course starts Thursday 15 April 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 2.00-4.00pm.
Week 1: Introduction, overview of London history
Week 2: Medieval London
Week 3: Tudor and Stuart London and the Great Plague
Week 4: The Great Fire 1666
Week 5: Rebuilding the City, the age of Wren
Week 6: London expansion, from the Georgians to the new Geogians
Week 7: The Blitz 1940-44 through photographs and paintings
Week 8: Immediate post-war building and the spirit of the Festival of Britain
Week 9: City of Towers and Canary Wharf
Week 10: Out into the Suburbs and New Towns
Course aims
Course aim:
- to present the history of London through its architecture, including major destructive events and phases of reconstruction.
Course objectives:
- to introduce the student to the styles of London architecture from the medieval to the modern
- to learn of the significance of the Great Fire and Blitz and the dramatic changes in London’s architecture that followed
- to use pictorial evidence including paintings, drawings, maps and photographs to evaluate these key events in London’s history
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course students should be able to:
Demostrate foundational knowledge of London’s architectural development by style and period.
Communicate the role of key figures, including significant architects, and major buildings in London’s architecture.
Evaluate the impact of key events in London’s history such as the Great Fire in 1666 and Blitz of 1940-45 upon the city’s architecture.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
This course is essentially one of social, architectural and art history. There are numerous books on London’s history but one ideal introduction is London, an architectural history by Anthony Sutcliffe, published by Yale in 2005. Reference books might include the Buildings of England volumes on regions of London.
Teaching methods
The classes will cover a specific topic each week and will be illustrated with slides on London’s history from paintings, drawings, engravings, maps and photographs. At the beginning of each class the tutor will provide a synopsis of the topic and this may be supported where relevant with additional diagrams to assist the student in his or her understanding. Students will be encouraged to contribute by way of discussion and questions. Additional books my be recommended on specific aspects including buildings, as well as places to visit as the course progresses.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be expected to submit one essay of 1,500 after the end of the course by a date determined by the department. You may submit a 500 word summary during the couse for discussion with the tutor. The tutor will offer a few topics for consideration but students are free to choose a topic of their own related to the course.
Dr Hubert Pragnell
Hubert Pragnell has been a part-time tutor for Oxford Lifelong Learning since 2003. He trained in fine art at the Ruskin School of Fine Art in Oxford, as well as holding a masters degree, and doctorate in history from the University of York. He is a tutor in history of architecture and has written and illustrated a number of books on British architecture including London history. He has a special interest in buildings including industrial from the 16th to the 20th century.
Academic credit
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)
Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.
Digital certificate of completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All short course students (online and in-person) may register to borrow from the Oxford Lifelong Learning Library, for the duration of their course.
Further information about the Oxford Lifelong Learning Library can be found on the library website.
Preparatory reading
- The City of London, a record of Destruction and Survival / Holden C.H. & Holford W.G.
- London, an architectural history / Sutcliffe, Anthony
- London, a life in Maps / Whitfield, Peter
Module code: O26P475HCW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.
