History and Politics, BA (Hons)

The History and Politics joint degree attracts ambitious students seeking a profound understanding of political processes through historical and contemporary contexts. By combining modules from both disciplines with exclusive core seminars, students explore key developments across diverse nations, societies, and cultures. Benefits include collaborating with leading academics on research techniques, gaining a global perspective on power dynamics, and honing skills in critical analysis, communication, policy writing, and real-world applications like independent projects and work placements.The three-year program begins with foundational modules in global history and politics, advances to ideas in history and comparative politics in Year 2, and culminates in Year 3 with independent research and specialist electives. Assessment, weighted at 10% for Year 1, 30% for Year 2, and 60% for Year 3, includes coursework, essays, exams, presentations, and a dissertation, focusing on intellectual rigor and professional skills.

Year 1 Develop an expert understanding of global history, the principles and ideas that define the study of politics, key concepts and thinkers in political theory, and the foundations of comparative politics. Core Modules: The Development of the Modern World Introduction to Politics Introduction to Political Theory Puzzles of Comparative Politics History in the Age of Digital Information History Elective Modules: Conflict, Conquest, and Cultural Encounter in World History The Bigger Picture: History in Contemporary Politics and Culture From ‘Rule Britannia’ to Brexit Britain: Britain and the World from the Nineteenth Century to the Present From Empires to Union: Europe in the Twentieth Century Politics Elective Modules: International Relations Theories The Making of the Modern World Economy Emerging Powers in a Changing World Programme Stage Year 2 Study the ideas and ideologies that have shaped the modern world, situate these ideas in their historical context, and develop an advanced understanding of comparative politics. Core Modules: Ideas in History: from the Enlightenment to Post-Colonialism Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics History and Policy: History and Politics Core Module Y2 History Elective Modules: Fifty Shades of Red – Russia in the Twentieth Century The American Century: The United States in the Twentieth Century The Making of Modern South Asia Slavery, Colonialism and Revolution in the Caribbean Politics Elective Modules: Transnational Social Movements States and Markets in an Era of Globalisation Comparative Political Economy Politics of the USA Comparative Asian Politics Employability Elective Modules: Work Placement Micro-Placements Year 3 Conduct a major piece of independent research, develop their analytical skills in a History and Politics Research Seminar, and choose from a wide variety of specialist modules. Core Elective Modules: History Dissertation Dissertation Seminar Final Year Dissertation Project History Elective Modules: Radicals and Reformers: Left-Wing Politics and Activism in Britain and the World since 1945 Revolution: Rebels and Riots in the Long Nineteenth Century Comparative Empires in the Modern Era Genocide and the Holocaust in History and Memory The History of Things: Material and Cultural History in the Twentieth Century Disruptive Divas: Riot Grrrls and Bad Sistas: A History of Women in Popular Music Politics Elective Modules: Global Governance American Foreign Policy Political Change in Europe Governance in the Global Economy The Theory and Practice of Conflict and Peace Sexuality and Gender in World Politics Employability Elective Modules: Micro-Placements Industry Projects Integrated Professional Training Modules are subject to change.