COURSE CURRICULUM

The Contemporary History degree offers a comprehensive exploration of modern history, examining transformative events and social, political, and cultural developments from the nineteenth century to the present. In the first year, students develop foundational skills through six core modules, including Historical Inquiry, Philosophical Inquiry, Studying Cultures, Democracy, Globalisation, Conflict and the Environment, and The Politics of Representation, which introduce key concepts and critical thinking abilities central to the study of history. In the second year, students select two specialist option pathways, either from the degree or the wider humanities, allowing them to focus on areas of particular interest while continuing core modules such as Critical Traditions in Western Thought. Specialist pathways include Radical Histories, which examines marginalized groups and the history of social movements; Race and Resistance, focusing on the evolving conceptualisation of race and strategies of contesting racism; and Politics-History-Ideology, which analyses the role of ideology, European global dominance, and Cold War history. Students may also explore complementary humanities subjects such as Philosophy and Literature, Global Politics, and Contemporary Global Challenges. In the final year, students deepen their chosen pathways, conduct independent research for a dissertation, and engage in an oral examination, honing advanced research, analytical, presentation, and debate skills while producing a sustained critical response to a contemporary or historical issue.