COURSE CURRICULUM

The Modern Languages and History degree at Southampton offers a comprehensive, multi-year program designed to develop both linguistic proficiency and historical understanding. In the first year, students build foundational skills through modules such as Academic Skills for Modern Languages and Linguistics, History Matters, and introductory courses in French, German, and Spanish, alongside World Histories Introduced. Optional modules allow exploration of diverse topics, including medieval castles, the First World War, Henry VIII, ethnography, and responses to the Holocaust, giving students flexibility to pursue their specific interests. In the second year, core modules focus on preparing for the year abroad and understanding how history reaches broader audiences, while optional modules provide deeper engagement with global, cultural, and linguistic themes such as Latin American history, ancient Greek and Roman societies, urban development, sociolinguistics, and contemporary social issues. The third year centers on independent research during the Residence Abroad Portfolio, integrating cultural immersion with academic inquiry. In the final year, students continue to reflect on their abroad experience through the Seeing and Being Seen module and choose from specialized topics, including migration, exploration, modern science, cinema, and empire studies. Across all years, the program emphasizes analytical thinking, research, language proficiency, and cultural understanding, preparing students for both academic and professional success.