History BA (Hons)

The US is more divided now than it has been for quite some time – or so goes a popular theory. Explore the factors that have led to the current political situation in the US, where republicans and democrats are embroiled in a political struggle and culture war that centres on issues surrounding women’s rights, immigration, healthcare, climate change and science, taxation, the media, the powers of congress, and the presidency. You examine the idea that the divisions among the political elite and most politically active, are mirrored within US society as a whole.

This is a 20-credit module.

Gain an overview of Britain and Europe from 1870 to the present. Take a chronological approach, from the unification of Germany and Italy, through to two world wars, the Cold War and the European Union. Within the British political history strand of the module, you investigate colonialism, the impact of two world wars on British politics and society, the implications of the introduction of the welfare state and Keynesian economic policies during the consensus period, and the shift towards neo-liberal forms of governance and politics in the late twentieth century and beyond. Within the European political history strand of the module, the chronological approach is shared, but you investigate these years with a more international, European focus. Beginning with a study of the major unifications in 1870, the strand investigates, WW1, the emergence of authoritarian and totalitarian dictatorships in interwar Europe, WW2, the Cold War, and post-Cold war military and economic integration.

This is a 40-credit module.

Study how history is shaped by a variety of forces – economic, political, ideological, cultural and more. The French Revolution is the most important event in modern political history and has shaped much of the political life of Europe and beyond. Explore modern ideas about democracy, nationalism, secularism, socialism, freedom, communism, conservatism, feminism and the concept of revolution.

History is made up of interpretations, debates, arguments and passion. It seeks to provide the most compelling and widely accepted explanation of why events happened as they did, and why other possible futures did not. Examine two case studies that form some of the most contested areas of historical debate, centred around the issue of Empire, and gain a deeper understanding into how the discipline of history works.

Develop graduate skills in preparation for further study, employment or lifelong learning, through engagement with our Student Futures team and humanities practitioners. Gain insight into career pathways and explore the opportunities available to humanities graduates, including as educators, policy-makers, publishers, facilitators, communicators, and creatives. Work on an individual project, either work focused or academic focused.

This is a 20-credit module.

Investigate the history of the North East and Teesside, and gain a deeper understanding of the region, both past and present. Learn about the area’s history, culture, and society through topics such as its foundation, economic development, demographic history, social structure, and political outlook.

This is a 20-credit module.

Examine one of the key phenomena of the modern age - revolutionary change - and how this has shaped the modern world. The American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Chinese Revolution, anti-colonial revolutions, Iranian Revolution and the counter-revolutions of 1989 - 1991 have been influential across the globe.

Investigate theoretical approaches to understanding the phenomenon of revolution, the political revolution and change. And research other types of revolutionary change in society such as those in the economic, technological, social and cultural fields. You explore counter-revolutionary resistance and attempts to reverse change as the counter-revolution has been, and remains, key to modern history and politics.

This is a 40-credit module.

Examine the impact of the First World War on the societies of the major combatants. Explore how the world’s first total war influenced social change, either by accelerating or preventing it, and whether any of the social changes that did occur due to the war had lasting effects.

Engage in a piece of advanced research into politics or international relations, allowing you to follow a theme or particular interest under the guidance of a supervisor. You are prepared for the workplace, enabling you to apply the skills you have acquired and developed during the course.

This is a 40-credit module.

Explore the political, economic, social and cultural development of Britain in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Develop your skills in using sources and on the capacity for critical engagement with historiography. Complete an in-depth study of Thatcher's Britain, centred on an increased focus and engagement with primary source material.

Through examining primary source material and current historiography, develop an understanding of significant gender-related themes in history. Become conversant in debates on the current status of gender history as an academic discipline and assess its influence in the wider culture. Explore how economic circumstances, work, sex, marriage, motherhood, fatherhood, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, politics and culture have shaped the human experience and what this tells us about the societies in which humanity has lived.

This is a 20-credit module.

Examine the process by which the past is narrated and analyse the relationship between memory and narratives of the past. Consider the way that memory – individual, collective and public – can be constructed and reconstructed, the processes by which narratives are created and the meanings they can produce. You focus on oral history and narratives, both as a research method and as a means of understanding history.

This is a 20-credit module.

Study the Third Reich from 1933 to 1945. Examine the social, cultural, political and economic characteristics of the Nazi racial state in peace and war. Topics include racial ideologies, the police state, racism as state policy, the propagation of the Volksgemeinschaft, racial policies towards men, women and youth, racial persecution of minorities, Nazi antisemitism, economic and foreign policy, racial extermination and Nazi Empire.

The politics of the past have been violently contested in Northern Ireland and continue to create problems now. Address the issues that historians and social scientists face when dealing with the politics of a divided society.

You examine the social, economic and political exploration of Northern Ireland at a time of civil conflict, and you explore the development of the conflict. You investigate the international dimension of moving from conflict to a process of peace. Review reports, newspapers, pamphlets, posters, memoirs and TV programmes.

This is a 20-credit module.