History BA (Hons)

This module applies a global approach to the history of empires, including those in the ancient, modern, medieval and early modern worlds. You will examine empires from the ancient to the modern era, decolonisation and resistance to empire, minority voices and slavery in the context of empire, and the importance of trade and migration.

Compulsory

This module considers war in three periods: medieval, early modern and modern. Get a critical insight into war, conflict and society from the medieval period to the conclusion of the Second World War. It will consider war's influence on social change as well as the enduring legacies of war and their long-term consequences. Study a range of topics including medieval and early modern conflict, total war, race and gender in war, changing military technology and the role of war as an agent of social change.

Compulsory

This module takes a ‘history from below’ approach, covering the entirety of human existence. It tells the stories of those in the past who had no voice and illuminates the lives of ordinary and largely illiterate people. You will examine burials, material culture, literature, religious texts, art and ritual, analysing how the evidence left behind by these people reflects their lived experiences.

You should learn to:

• understand and develop arguments about the social, economic and cultural experiences of ordinary people, demonstrating awareness of their agency within broader historical contexts
• critically analyse a range of historical sources to reconstruct the lived experiences of ordinary people in the past
• evaluate key historiographical and methodological approaches in studying marginalised and largely illiterate past populations.

Compulsory

Protest frequently sits at the heart of society. Technological, environmental, cultural, political and social change has been common throughout the modern era, spurring protest and resistance by those who perceive a better way forward. You will engage with this phenomenon by considering a wide range of examples from the Enlightenment to the present. You will consider various protest movements, their aims, their objectives, their methods and any successes they have achieved.

You should learn to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the driving forces behind the emergence of protest movements
• critically analyse the methods, techniques, and/or social realities of protest groups
• identify and evaluate relevant secondary and primary sources and place them into an appropriate intellectual framework.

Compulsory

This module critically examines the global and historical impact of intelligence and surveillance, exploring their evolution and contemporary significance. Engage with the ethical dilemmas of intelligence work, examining issues of privacy, governmental transparency, covert manipulation, tackling organised crime, and extrajudicial operations. This module offers a critical perspective on how intelligence practices shape global security, democracy and state power.

Compulsory

Regardless of civilisation or society, human beings have always been drawn to creative artefacts, both as their creators and as their consumers. By examining the role of music, film, photography and other forms of popular media, this module provides you with an opportunity to investigate how cultural narratives are constructed and reinterpreted over time.

Compulsory

Working independently is a key skill for scholars studying the interconnected fields of history, international relations, politics and security. Being able to explore your own specialist topic in-depth provides an opportunity for you to hone the skills and experiences you gained in years one and two. This module provides you with an opportunity to complete an independent project of your choosing.

Compulsory

Choose one from the following two:

From the Age of Ideology to the Clash of Civilisations – 30 credits

Explore how ideologies clash and interact in the modern era. Develop an understanding of the conflict that developed between the dominant ideologies of the early 20th century and their change through to the era of the Cold War. Examine the battle fought between fascism, nazism and communism that culminated in the Cold War, which dominated the post-World War II period. Additionally, the module covers the Cold War in Europe up to the War on Terror. A focus on ideology in the 20th century, and early 21st century, will allow you to look at both the major extremes of Nazism and Communism, while exploring the Cold War and post-Cold War period.

Indispensable Nation: The United States in the 21st Century – 30 credits

How does American society manifest itself in foreign policy? The module will consider debates about race, economy, government, media and security. These will be discussed through historical case studies and contemporary policy debates. Does America want to be great again or simply left alone? This module aims to foster critical perspectives on the US’ role in the contemporary world.

Availability of optional modules may vary depending on student demand.

Optional