Dawn does the Teesside time-warp

The turbulence of the French Revolution, the role of women in the twentieth century and the impact of the First World War; all these and more were explored by Dawn Gowland during her BA (Hons) History degree at the University of Teesside. Now she has been offered a place on Sainsbury’s Retail Management scheme, starting in September 2001.

Dawn, 23, from Wolviston, Billingham, came to the University with three ‘A’ levels in History, English Literature and Sociology from Bede Sixth Form College, all at grade A. Dawn said: “I’ve always loved History since secondary school, I enjoy learning about the past. On the degree I particularly enjoyed the French revolution module, as I’d never studied that period before and the Lecturer was really enthusiastic and helpful. I also enjoyed British Political History since 1945, where we looked at each Prime Minister in the period.”

Dawn’s final year dissertation had a local flavour, as she analysed Teesside newspaper cuttings from the 1940s as part of her exploration of the Beveridge report, which formed the foundations to the welfare state. She examined the newspapers to look at the responses of local MPs to the report, and found that the younger MPs were more in favour of it, with the older ones more cautious.

Her studies proved valuable in the selection process for Sainsbury’s. Dawn said: “I had to complete a presentation, of which I had lots of experience, as presentations were a regular feature of the degree. The selection also included a group exercise. Again, I had experience of this as we had to work collaboratively in a group to compile a historical book, producing a chapter each on the Third French Republic.”

During her final year Dawn also completed a voluntary placement with the University’s Corporate Communications Unit. This involved helping to interview students backstage at the University’s Academic Awards ceremonies at Middlesbrough Town Hall. In November Dawn will be walking across the Town Hall’s stage herself, to receive her History degree.

Dawn is the daughter of Maureen and David Gowland.

For more information on the BA (Hons) degree in History please call 01642 384019, or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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