COURSE CURRICULUM

The English and History BA at Leicester offers an integrated approach to understanding literature and history, examining how historical events and cultural movements have shaped literary expression and societal developments. In Year 1, students gain foundational skills in analyzing poetry, prose, drama, and language, while also exploring historical contexts such as medieval and early modern Europe, the Renaissance stage, and modern Britain. Option modules allow students to tailor their learning, including creative writing, film studies, and historical surveys. In Year 2, students deepen their understanding of literary and historical currents through core modules in critical perspectives and historical inquiry, alongside options that explore areas such as European dictatorships, global connections, imperialism, and contemporary literature. The program emphasizes research skills and interdisciplinary connections between English and History. In the final year, students undertake a dissertation in either English or History, allowing them to conduct independent research, while a wide range of optional modules supports further specialization. Options span literature from the Renaissance to contemporary times, historical periods from the fourteenth century to modern global movements, and topics such as crime, gender, migration, fashion, and cultural change. Graduates leave with a broad knowledge base, critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to interpret texts and events in relation to historical and cultural contexts, preparing them for careers in research, education, heritage, and beyond.