• Northumbria University Institute of the Humanities

Global Geordies: The North East of England and the World

Get an introduction to the hidden history, culture and people of the North East of England.

2,073 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    5 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

Explore global relationships, forged through trade, industry and culture

Where was the light bulb invented? What about the first steam locomotive, or hydroelectricity? They were all invented in the North East of England.

This course introduces you to the historical, technological and cultural connections between the people and places of the North East and the wider world.

You’ll learn how the region’s industry and trade inspired global innovations in science and engineering.

You’ll explore the rich history of diversity in the North East, and what it means to be “Geordie”.

You’ll learn about regeneration in the North East today, and how it will affect the future.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1 - The global impact of stereotypes associated with NE England and what it means to be a ‘Geordie’

Week 2 - The pre-modern north east and how it flourished infrastructurally, culturally and economically as it moved increasingly towards full industrialisation

Week 3 - The industrial north east and its global connections between 1800 and 1960

Week 4 - The social, political, economic and cultural impact of the region’s rapid deindustrialisation as northeasterners came to terms with their post-industrial future between 1960 and 1999

Week 5 - The position of the region in a global context in its recent history, present and future (from 2000 onwards) and how dramatically this compares to previous eras

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate a greater appreciation of the diverse history, economic development, and cultures of the North East over time and in national and global contexts.
  • Explain how the North East has impacted on the economy, cultures and politics of the world
  • Interpret the significance of global forces in shaping North East history
  • Explore the causes and consequences of industrialisation and deindustrialisation in the North East and, with that historical understanding, improved understanding of contemporary regional identity.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at anyone interested in the history and culture of the North East.

Who will you learn with?

I am Northumbria University’s first Professor in American Studies and my teaching and research focuses on the modern US South, the African American Experience, and popular music.

Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow in Humanities, Northumbria University. Environmental historian of water exploring relationships between people and rivers, reservoirs and sanitation infrastructure

Who developed the course?

Northumbria University Institute of the Humanities

Northumbria University is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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