Historical concepts - indentured labour and slavery - were critically discussed and analysed in class through different texts, colonial fiction, autobiography and historical writing. 

Discussion on discourse and colonial propaganda and anti-colonial message in literature, images and stories with excerpts from The Tempest (Shakespeare), The White Man's Burden (Rudyard Kipling), Candide, and narratives from different colonialist such as John Smith, and Elizabeth's "sea dogs". 

Trade and cultural exchanges and how these also introduced new practices from eating habits to tobacco. 

What lessons were learnt and what important political decision resulted from these experiences with government and leadership. 

At the end of the class Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan was also discussed as an important example of political writing. 

The social and political context is discussed and why it led to a war, the religious, economic and political disputes, the division of the country into Royalist and Parliamentarians, the religious conflicts with Scotland, the rise of Thomas Cromwell and his New Model Army, resistance (Levellers) and, eventually, the execution of the King by his people. 

We then moved on to Restoration theatre, Charles II and what changed from earlier playhouses, sets, trends, performances and specific features of the plays such as the role of satire - especially in the comedy of manners - and social changes brought on by theatre such as women as actors.