Pubs: History, Consumers, Management, and Protection (FutureLearn)

Understand the history and protect the future of pubs

For centuries, pubs have been the focal point of local communities. But recent years have seen more and more of them closing their doors for good.

On this three-week course from the University of York, you’ll explore how pubs have changed over the past 150 years and what contemporary pubs offer communities and individuals.

Considering social, economic, and design/architectural perspectives, you’ll examine the history, development, and look to the future of pubs within communities and our heritage culture.

Trace the history of pubs and pub architecture

You’ll start the course with a brief history of pubs, from the late 19th century to the present day.

You’ll be introduced to some of the oldest pubs in the UK, learning how pub styles and architecture have evolved over the years.

Understand the role of pubs as a social, cultural, and communal space

Week 2 of the course will dig deeper into the social and cultural role of the pub. You’ll investigate the importance of pubs for social sustainability, and discuss their value as a community asset. In particular, you’ll cover pub consumers, why they visit, and how they use pubs.

You’ll also consider pubs from an ethnographic perspective, analysing pub entertainment and drinking behaviour.

Learn why pubs are under threat, and what you can do to support them

In the final week of the course, you’ll look at the challenges that pubs have faced and the current challenges of pub management.

You’ll learn why so many pubs are closing down, and what is needed to support them.

By the end of the course, you’ll be inspired to do your bit to save pubs from extinction.

Syllabus

Week 1: Pub History

Week 2: Pub Consumers

Week 3: Losing and Saving Pubs

What will you achieve?

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

- Identify and articulate key aspects of the pub in its historical context.

- Explore and identify pub consumers and their behaviour in the pub context.

- Identify and evaluate different pub ownership methods and their implications for pub managers and staff.

- Assess the importance of pubs in the community for social sustainability.

- Reflect upon support and recommended practices used to help save pubs.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the history, sociology, management, and protection of pubs. If you’re a pub visitor or drinker who wants to know more about the pubs you drink in, this is the course for you.

It will also be useful for service marketers interacting with the pub service environment; hospitality professionals; and anyone with a broad interest in management science, organisational sociology, architecture, consumer behaviour, services marketing or social sustainability.