History and Politics BA (Hons)

This module charts the professionalisation of Britain's intelligence organisations from the Great Game to the early Cold War. It will examine the formation of the intelligence services in Britain, and their relationship to allies in the United States and enemies in the Soviet bloc. It will also examine the cultural depictions of spies and espionage, from Fleet Street to Hollywood.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to explore the major social, cultural, and political forces which led to the emergence of the United States. It will pay particular attention to the ways in which race, class and gender have shaped the country's history, from the colonial period to its rise as a global superpower.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the history of the relations between the major European powers in the twentieth century. The foreign policies of Britain, France, Italy, Germany and the Soviet Union will provide the focus of this module. This module will examine the development of the European states system and thereby provide you with the essential background for understanding contemporary Europe.

Compulsory

This student-led project module introduces you to research methods and practices in humanities disciplines. You will design and produce a piece of independent research of your own devising, on a topic relevant to your course. The module will be orientated around key employability and research skills, such as problem-solving, designing research questions, identifying and locating research materials, research methodologies, media production and producing research outputs. These will develop independent working competencies commensurate with sound employability skills.

Compulsory

This module provides an introduction to the history of modern political thought. It involves an examination of some of the key political ideas and theories developed by major Western political thinkers from Machiavelli to Marx - ideas and theories that have accompanied various stages in the development of the modern state.

Compulsory

This module aims to introduce and analyse the system of government in Britain, with special emphasis on assessing whether these institutions are appropriate for British society in the twenty-first century. The module will also look at recent debates, issues and topics arising within contemporary British political life.

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module is designed to enable you to develop, enhance and put into practice the research and analytical skills acquired in your previous years of study in order to pursue an in-depth analysis of a subject of your own choosing within the context of your programme of study. This can take the form of an extended piece of writing, or a media project such as a documentary film.

Optional

This module examines the different natures of the far right in Britain and France. The primary focus for both countries will be, the inter-war period, the different experiences and consequences of World War Two, the 1950s, 1970s up to the current time.

Optional

This module explores the political and economic history of the German nation from its division at the end of the Second World War to its reunification in 1990 and beyond. The module examines the international significance of the two German states and their internal developments over the 40 years of division, and the social and economic impact of the subsequent unification on the nation as a whole.

Optional

This module considers the emergence of the modern environmental movement from the 1960s to the most recent climate change activism of Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion as well as identifying the emergence and impact of climate change denial. It will demonstrate possible sustainable futures with an appraisal of alternative ways of living in search of sustainable futures.

Optional

The aim of this module is to examine aspects of women’s lives in Britain and the US between 1800 and 1945 using an historical approach that will focus on the following areas of study: working lives and labour relations, education, women’s roles in war, peace campaigning and feminist campaigns. There will be examination and comparison of the changes and continuities in the political, social and economic status of women in both countries during an era of rising democracy.

Optional

This module seeks to highlight the system of government in the United States. It places special emphasis on assessing the political institutions that have evolved from the US constitution, and analysing whether these institutions are appropriate for American society in the twenty-first century.

Optional

This module aims to introduce you to the political challenges facing the countries of Central and Eastern Europe since the end of Communism, especially the unresolved clash between liberal democratic and ethnic nationalist norms. You will be introduced to key debates in both theories of nationalism and theories of democratisation as well as particular events and case study countries.

Optional

This module examines the major political ideologies of the 20th century in Britain, Europe, North America and the Third World. It provides an in-depth understanding of the main intellectual and political debates within influential categories, namely, conservatism, Christian Democracy, far right populism/neo-fascism, liberalism, socialism, the New Left, feminism, ecologism, political Islam and anti-colonialism.

Optional