Modules
On Global Histories: Defining Moments we introduce you to historical events and processes from across the world and over the last two millennia which effected substantial change. In doing so, we will transform your perspectives by changing your views on the past, and developing the key skills required of historians. Here you begin the transition to becoming historians who are globally aware, chronologically informed, curious citizens as well as historians who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.
Our Lectures will focus on historical themes including commercial change, global diseases, religious change, persecutions, genocide and enslavement, rebellions, revolutions, wars, and others.
Your Seminars will discuss related case studies on which you can choose to complete further research for your assignment. During these Seminars you will learn to distinguish, weigh and analyse primary and secondary sources related to the case studies and assess how to deploy them construct an argument.
On completing this module you will emerge equipped with a broad geographical and chronological historical knowledge to inform your preferences for optional modules and your historical thinking throughout the course. Through the Seminars and smaller group discussions you will adjust to university, build community and lay a foundation in the transferable skills required across the course.
History Wars will introduce you to the different ways people have conceived of History and the ongoing debates about what History is and how it should be done. During the module we will transform your perception of what History is and how we make History. By the end of the module you will be well on your way to becoming historians equipped to redefine History and who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.
Our Lectures will focus on key themes in the way History has been defined and on key issues at the heart of how we do History, such as the relationship between the past and History, the nature of historical truth, the status of sources, the idea of facts or events, and others, opening a wide range of perspectives.
Your Seminars will discuss focused contributions to debates on these themes and issues by particular historians, examining in depth through small group activities.
On completing this module you will emerge equipped with a broad knowledge and understanding to inform your analysis of historians writing about particular times and places on your optional modules and for your dissertation. Through the Seminars and smaller group discussions you will adjust to university, build community and lay a foundation in the transferable skills required across the course.
This immersive module will offer you, as a student of French/Spanish, the opportunity to develop your language from beginner or Post A level through the study of French/Spanish speaking cultures from around the world. A wide variety of materials will be used, appropriate to your level, to support your language learning and allow you to explore the geography, history and diversity of regions of the world where French and Spanish are spoken. For Spanish, the emphasis is on Latin America and, for French, West Africa, North America and the Caribbean. You will build proficiency in grammar, comprehension and written and oral communication and survey cultural themes through film, literature, music and art. You will extend your academic skills, including strategies for independent learning, and apply these in assessments.
Pre-Modern Movements allows you to study major social, religious and cultural movements in particular chronological and geographical contexts before about 1750, such as medieval Crusades and Rebellions or early modern Reformations and Civil Wars.
During the module you will think about how societies are organised and how social organisation relates to changes in religious beliefs or politics, or produces violence and oppression.
Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories and History Wars in using primary evidence, analysing historical arguments, and constructing your own historical answers.
By the end of the module you will be well on your way to becoming historians who are chronologically informed, curious citizens, and who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.
Modern Spaces allows you to study significant cultural phenomena in particular chronological and geographical contexts after about 1750, such as conventions of conflict, ideas of the body, or cultures of leisure.
During the module you will think about how cultural assumptions arise and change in different historical circumstances, and what effects they have on people as individuals and groups.
Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories and History Wars in using primary evidence, analysing historical arguments, and constructing your own historical answers. Through working with others to produce a group presentation you will acquire new skills in collaboration, oral and audio-visual communication, and responding to feedback.
By the end of the module you will be well on your way to becoming historians who are chronologically informed, curious citizens, and who are trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.
This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.
This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.
You now have the opportunity to pick an optional module to learn a new language or build on your existing language skills as part of your degree. You can choose:
- Subsidiary Language for Beginners (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)
- French: Intermediate Language Development
- Spanish: Intermediate Language Development
- Chinese: Intermediate Language Development
- German: Communication in Practice
- French: Communication in Practice
- Spanish: Communication in Practice