COURSE CURRICULUM

The History and Politics course is structured to gradually develop students’ academic knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills across four years. In the first year, the curriculum is heavily focused on establishing a strong foundation through compulsory modules that delve into key political theories and historical events. Modules like "Rights & Wrongs" expose students to influential political thinkers and core values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, helping them understand the philosophical roots of modern society. "Power, (Dis)Order & Security" and "Globalisation, Governance and Justice" explore the nature of international politics, including the causes of global conflict, the role of power, sovereignty, and pressing contemporary issues such as terrorism and migration. These modules are paired with historical ones like "Introduction to Modern History," which investigates the sweeping political and social changes in Europe and Britain from the 18th century to World War I, and "Doing History," which provides training in historical methodology and source analysis, encouraging students to think critically about how history is written and understood. In the second year, students are given the freedom to choose from a wide array of optional modules that suit their interests, allowing for either a focused or balanced academic path between History and Politics. This year also presents opportunities to broaden learning by studying new languages or exploring modules from other humanities disciplines. The third year is a placement year, where students gain hands-on experience in a work environment related to their interests. This year-long placement helps build professional skills, boosts employability, and provides real-world context for their academic knowledge. Students receive support in securing their placements and are encouraged to reflect on how their work experiences connect with their future goals. The final year brings a more specialized academic focus, with advanced modules that cover diverse and complex topics like Japanese modernization, Yugoslav nationalism, and the Third Reich. Students may either choose two advanced modules or one plus a dissertation, which allows for in-depth research into a topic of personal academic interest, showcasing their ability to engage independently with historical or political scholarship. Overall, the course is designed to blend theoretical grounding, intellectual flexibility, practical experience, and research expertise.