BA History Course Outline
The BA in History is carefully structured to build on your A Level study as you develop the skills and knowledge that come with intensively studying history. You will initially develop a broad knowledge of the events and movements that have shaped the world we live in today, looking as far back as the Middle Ages and studying right up to the present day. As your degree progresses you will increasingly specialize and study your subjects in great depth and detail.
NOTE - modules outlined here are indicative only. We are constantly improving and updating our courses, so we cannot guarantee that a particular module will run in any particular year.
Year One
You will take a range of broad courses which span several centuries, studying the entire range of European and British History from 1800 to the present in two core courses that are designed to give you a strong foundation on which to build your knowledge. These courses explain and situate that history in a global context encompassing the world outside Europe. You will have the chance to study medieval, renaissance and early modern history, the history of the United States and more specific subjects like intellectual history (the history of ideas), or the history of medieval Islam. You will also follow a course entitled ‘History in Practice’ which is designed to help you acquire and practice historical research skills, and develop your written and oral communication skills.
You must take 120 credits worth of modules. All of your options will be level 4 modules. Your mark for the first year is worth 1/7 of your final grade.
Compulsory Modules
History in Practice (15 credits)
Europe in a Global Context Since 1800 (30 credits)
Unravelling Britain: British History since 1801 (30 credits)
Options May Include
Any two of:
Building the American Nation 1765-1890 (15 credits)
From Reformation to Revolution: Europe and the World 1500-1800 (15 credits)
What the Middle Ages Have Done for Us: Europe 1100-1500 (15 credits)
One of:
History of the Medieval Islamic World, 600-1500 (15 credits)
The Foundations of Modern Thought: Introduction to Intellectual History (15 credits)
Critical Approaches to Film: Film Noir (15 credits)
The Medieval World: Structures and Mentalities (15 credits)
Year Two
In the second year you are given complete freedom to choose whichever areas of study appeal to you most, and are encouraged to follow up whatever excited your interest in the first year. The courses are more focused and in-depth, allowing you to develop a closer understanding of more specific periods. You might choose to study the Black Death, the history of architecture in London or the history of race in the United States (although the modules available are constantly evolving and being updated – check our website for details). You will also build on the skills you developed in the first year, studying the different kinds of approaches that have been taken to the writing of history over the centuries (known as historiography).
You must take 120 credits worth of modules. Your mark for the second year is worth 2/7 of your final grade.
Compulsory Modules
Historiography(15 credits)
Optional modules may include
At least a further 75 credits worth of level 5 modules.
Up to 30 credits of level 4, level 6 or intercollegiate modules.
See the module directory for details of the kind of courses you might take.
Year Three
In your final year your still get freedom to shape your course, which includes a “Special Subject” – an extremely in-depth course which focuses in great detail on a short historical period. This allows you to intensively study primary sources (perhaps including documents, novels, photograph, films memoirs, pictures, etc) allowing you to arrive at a really detailed and complex understanding of your subject. The Special Subject, however, is entirely taught in small group seminars each of which lasts for two hours – allowing you to discuss and develop your work and ideas in an intensive group environment. You will also write a dissertation that is linked your Special Subject. This will require you to develop your skills at independent research and give you a real opportunity to explore your own ideas.
You must take 120 credits worth of modules. Your mark for the third year is worth 4/7 of your final grade.
Compulsory Modules
One special subject (including dissertation) (60 credits) - see the module directory.
Options May Include
Up to 30 credits of modules at level 5.
The remaining modules at level 6.
See the module directory for details of the kind of courses you might take.