COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA History and English Literature joint honours degree at the University of Reading offers a broad and interdisciplinary exploration of the past and of literary culture, combining historical inquiry with literary analysis. In History, students study a wide geographical and chronological range of topics, from medieval and early modern politics to modern global histories including South Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Core modules introduce historiography, research methods, and historical interpretation, while optional modules allow students to explore specialised areas such as revolutions, colonialism, gender history, migration, and cultural memory, alongside themes like medieval medicine, crusading history, and twentieth-century political change. In English Literature, students examine poetry, prose, drama, and critical theory across periods from the Renaissance to contemporary fiction, engaging with authors such as Shakespeare, Dickens, Plath, and Beckett, as well as global and diverse literary voices. Modules also develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and textual analysis, while exploring topics such as Victorian literature, modernism, American writing, and the history of the book. Both disciplines are integrated through shared emphasis on research skills, argument development, and cultural interpretation. In the final year, students complete a dissertation in either History or English Literature, enabling independent research on a specialised topic. The programme equips graduates with strong analytical, communication, and research skills, preparing them for careers in education, media, heritage, publishing, public service, and further academic study.