German and History, BA (Hons)

Course summary

This course, combining history with degree-level study in German language and culture, is open to beginners in German as well as post-A level students. If you’re passionate about history but also dream of spending time in Germany and becoming fluent in the language – how do you choose which degree to study? We say, choose both!This joint honours course allows you to combine your curiosity for human experience with your love of communicating in another language.Many of our students say the year abroad is their course highlight. Not only do you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the German language and culture, but spending time abroad can make you more independent and confident. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone won’t only benefit your degree, it’ll shape the person you are to become.

In year one you will take 60 credits of German. The German core language module develops the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. If you are a beginner, you will work intensively on a structured language programme to enable rapid progress. In addition, you will take a core German Studies module introducing you to the study of German linguistics, literature, history and film. If you are post-A level, you will choose further optional modules. You will also take 60 credits in History. The Learning History core module introduces you to the discipline's practical and theoretical elements and you will take modules from the early medieval period to the 20th century. In year two you will take 60 credits of German modules. Those taking post-A level German will consolidate their language skills to prepare them for the year abroad, whilst those taking Beginners' German will continue to follow an intensive language course to ensure that they are comfortable heading to a German-speaking country in their third year. You will also take modules in literature, history, politics and society, and may opt for modules in German linguistics, culture and media. In history, you will be able to select optional modules from an extensive range covering an extremely wide chronological and geographical range. Your third academic year is spent in Germany or Austria either on a programme of studies in a higher education institution, working as an assistant in a school or on a work placement. In your final year you will take 60 credits of German modules. Whether a former beginner or post-A level student, you will take the same German language classes, and graduate at the same level in German. You will develop your command of German to a high level and use it in increasingly sophisticated contexts. You will also study optional modules drawn from the areas of literature, history, politics, society, media and linguistics and you may choose to write a dissertation. In history you will take 60 credits of history modules. You will select a Special Subject (which involves in-depth study of a particular topic taught in seminars) and one optional module. Although German and History are taught separately you may choose a uniting theme for your final year dissertation.