History and Politics BA (Hons)

In the second year, students are given the chance to study the development of the European states system together with a range of international developments, such as, the crisis of the 1930s and the rise of fascism in Europe, the workings of the US political system, the environmental movement in the twentieth century, the rise of the women’s movement in Europe and the growth of far-right parties in recent decades.

Modules

• Comparative Politics and Governance (20 credits)

  This module focuses on politics and the State in different countries and continents. It aims to give you an understanding of different concepts of the State and introduce you to a number of key political issues in developed and developing countries today. The first sessions introduce the concepts underlying the module. Further sessions cover how the concepts may be applied to five case study countries (such as France, Spain, Kenya, USA, Egypt and Zimbabwe).

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

• Contemporary British Government (20 credits)

  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. Key institutions (such as the Constitution, Parliament, the Cabinet, the judiciary, and the Devolved Administrations) will be examined to show their role in the British political system.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

• The Making of the United States (20 credits)

  The aim of this module is to provide an outline history of the United States from Contact to the end of the 20th century. The module will be organised along broadly chronological lines, with emphasis on addressing those general themes that have been important in the shaping of modern North America. The major themes of this module are: political change and institutions; key leaders; war and diplomacy; economic and social development.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework

• The International History of Europe since 1900 (20 credits)

  The aim of this module is to introduce you to the history of the relations between the major European powers in the 20th 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 students with the essential background for understanding contemporary Europe.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework

• A Graduate Career (10 credits)

  This module aims to introduce you to the concept of a graduate career. It provides you with a knowledge and understanding of the graduate employment process and helps you to organise placements and work experience to enhance your employability. It aims to develop your professional competencies, helping you move from undergraduate study to the graduate labour market. To achieve this, you will engage in a series of workshops and a process of self-reflection, developing market intelligence to produce an individual and tailored action plan, and a professional CV.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework

• Add+vantage module (10 credits)

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

• Optional modules (one from the following)

  Choose one from the following:

  History of Modern Political Thought (20 credits)

  The module will examine the ideas and theories of major political thinkers in a chronological sequence - from the Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century - and with attention to their historical - both intellectual and political - contexts. At the same time, modern political thought will be presented throughout as involving the critical study of political values and of the key concepts used in political argument and debate. 

  Assessment: Coursework and exam 

  Sex, Sexuality, Power and Oppression (20 credits)

  This module explores the relationship between sex and sexuality, and legal, political and moral definitions of crime and deviance. It examines the issues of sexual violence from the perspective of both victim and perpetrator, sexuality and social control (e.g. prostitution, pornography and same sex relationships). The module draws on a range of theoretical and historical perspectives. The relationship between the public and the private is a central focus throughout.

  Assessment: Coursework

  Shadow Warriors: Modern Britain and Espionage (20 credits)

  From the Victorian period to the end of the Cold War, espionage has played an important role in the diplomatic, military, political and commercial deals of states. Yet, the men and women engaged in this often-dangerous profession have done so in secret. What was reported of their activities tended to be sensationalised and misleading. Historical accounts of espionage be they fiction, autobiographical or even factual in their basis, have tended to pander to public appetites whetted by intrigue, violence and sex. It has only been in recent decades that the veil surrounding secret work has gradually been lifted, as states have opened their archives and former intelligence officers have been authorised to speak and write about their work.

  Assessment: Coursework

  Optional

After your second year, you may have an opportunity to take a sandwich year, studying abroad or on professional placement.

The Talent Team can provide you with a wide range of support services in order to help you apply for a placement opportunity.

Past students have done their placement with the European Parliament, UNICEF, Greenpeace, the Latvian and Sudanese embassies, Islamic Relief and a range of refugee and migrant centres.

Modules

• Study Abroad

  Optional

• Professional Placement

  Optional

Your studies culminate in a 10,000-word dissertation through which you research an idea, policy or issue that fires up your own interests. Past students have chosen exciting topics like British decolonisation, the Women's Movement in Europe, US policy toward the Middle East, far-right ideologies, sports, economic crises and ideological change in the Western World.

Modules

• Dissertation in History, International Relations and Politics (30 credits)

  This module is designed to enable you to develop, enhance and put into practice the research skills you acquired in your previous years of study. It encourages you to use the skills involved in gathering and interpretating knowledge and analyse a subject of your own choosing in depth, within the context of their programme of study.
  This module requires you to study independently aims to develop your independent thinking, critical judgement and ability to retrieve knowledge through research.
  You should also develop your time-management and independent learning skills.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework

• Political Ideologies in the Twentieth Century (20 credits)

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

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

• Post War Germany: From Division to Unification and Beyond (20 credits)

  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 particular geographic and political situation of Germany on the frontline in the Cold War was a test case for East–West relations, until the fall of the Berlin Wall gave it the opportunity to bring a century shaped by German aggression to a peaceful close.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and presentation

• Add+vantage module (10 credits)

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

• Optional modules (two from the following)

  Choose two from the following:

  Politics of the Contemporary Middle East (20 credits)
  Nationalism and Democratisation in Post-Communist Europe (20 credits)
  US Government and Politics (20 credits)
  Study Trip (20 credits)
  An Inconvenient History (20 credits)
  Women’s Lives in Britain and the United States, 1800-1945 (20 credits)

  Optional