History with Politics, BA (Hons)

Course summary

This programme is an innovative and interdisciplinary exploration into how social, cultural, and political institutions, decisions, and events have shaped societies and nations around the world.There is much cross-over to explore between the disciplines of History and Politics. The BA History with Politics at Goldsmiths combines and synthesises methods and concepts from both disciplines to inform and stimulate study. Many History modules, such as those dealing with revolutions, ideas, and social movements, are, of course, centrally connected to politics. Meanwhile, Politics modules on feminism and anarchism are strongly informed by the historical precedents of modern movements and ideologies.Combine the study of History and PoliticsRather than focusing on chronology or strict historical periods, combining History and Politics encourages and facilitates explorations and analyses of key issues, controversies, themes, and debates. The study, analysis, and understanding of the past are as important today as they have ever been. Understanding past societies fosters emotional intelligence and allows us to appreciate the diversity and adaptability of human life. Understanding our pasts can help us to shape our futures in more intelligent, insightful, and compassionate ways.By combining the two disciplines, you will be able to peel back the formal veneer of political parties and institutions to reveal the major ideological, economic, social, and cultural conflicts which must be investigated to understand our world. This programme crosses boundaries between the traditional and the more radical understandings of political phenomena. Politics is much more than simply what happens in parliaments, it pervades the whole of society, domestically and internationally.Throughout this degree, you will have the opportunity to study the historical roots of issues facing nations and societies today, while also being able to consider the nature of the ‘political’ in all its dimensions. These approaches come together in Year 3 Special Subjects, where you will spend half the year focusing on a specific subject and writing your dissertation on it. Special Subjects can be taken from a range of options both at Goldsmiths and at other colleges of the University of London, meaning that the scope of political subjects on offer is vast. Learn across two expert departmentsThe academic staff in the Department of History and Department of Politics are at the forefront of research excellence and research-led teaching, delivering modules and conducting research about Asia, Africa, the Americas, the British Isles, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Middle East.Gain valuable career skillsAlongside intellectual and personal development, we equip you with the skills and experience you need to progress into a rewarding career. This might be through our History in Practice work-placement module or through other career-orientated opportunities and forms of assessment.

Year 1 - In your first year, you will take the following compulsory modules: Historical Perspectives Reading and Writing History Global Connections: the violence and exchanges that shaped the modern world Historical Controversies You will also select two 15 credit modules from a list approved annually by the Department of History. Year 2 You will take 75 credits of modules offered by the History department. Up to 30 credits of these may be a 'related studies' module offered by another Goldsmiths department, and a further 30 credits may be a University of London intercollegiate group II module. You will also take 45 credits of Politics and International Relations modules from a list approved annually by the department. The following is an indicative list. Making Modern Japan Political Economy Modern Britain: Politics from 1979 - today Rough Politics Security Studies Year 3 You will choose a Special Subject module offered by the Department of History, which is coupled with your dissertation and worth 60 credits. You will also choose 45 credits of modules offered by the Department of Politics (indicative list below), and 15 credits offered by the Department of History. Anarchism New Radical Political Economy Feminist Politics Armed Politics and Political Violence The Politics of Popular Music Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of the modules may be available every year.