COURSE CURRICULUM

The English and History degree at Southampton is structured across three years, combining compulsory and optional modules to provide a comprehensive exploration of literature and history. In year one, students study core modules such as English on the Move, The Novel, History Matters, and World Histories Introduced, while selecting from a wide range of optional modules covering topics from medieval castles and the Tudors to the Holocaust, African literature, and the development of English literature. Year two builds on this foundation, including modules like Humanities Study Abroad Preparation, Making History, and Revolutions in English Literature, alongside electives ranging from Milton’s Paradise Lost and African freedoms to Ancient Greek and Roman history, creative writing, media studies, and global historical perspectives. Students may also undertake a Year Abroad or Year in Employment to gain practical experience. In year three, students focus on specialized topics, selecting from modules such as American Cinema, Creative Writing in Schools, the Cold War, China in the Cold War, Holocaust Literature, Shakespeare Then and Now, and dissertations in English or History. The curriculum encourages critical analysis, independent research, creative and practical writing, and engagement with diverse global and historical perspectives, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests while developing research, analytical, and communication skills.