COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA History and Politics degree at the University of Reading offers a structured curriculum that combines historical depth with political analysis to help students understand both past societies and contemporary global challenges. In history, students begin with Perspectives in History, which provides a broad chronological and geographical overview while introducing historiography, methods, and theoretical approaches that shape historical interpretation. Making History and You: Practices and Possibilities develops core academic skills through an independent research project, focusing on critical reading, engagement with scholarly debate, and clear academic writing. In politics, Politics of Climate Change explores ethical and policy debates surrounding environmental challenges, while Introduction to Contemporary Democracy examines how democratic systems operate globally, including topics such as electoral systems, political parties, voting behaviour, and democratic crises. Introduction to Political Ideas develops understanding of key concepts such as authority, freedom, democracy, and social justice through political theory. Students also take The Study of Politics, which introduces research methods and approaches, alongside either Comparative Government and Politics or Political Classics, covering global political systems or foundational political thinkers. In the final year, students complete a dissertation in either History or Politics, producing an independent research project that demonstrates advanced analytical, methodological, and argumentative skills developed throughout the degree.