How we teach you
At Part 1, teaching is by large group lectures reinforced by seminars of up to 15 students, and for those taking the Directed Study, individual supervision is provided. At Parts 2 and 3, it is principally by seminars, with around 25 students in Periods, 15 in Topics, and 8 in Special Subjects. At all levels, independent research is expected and encouraged. It is most apparent and significant in the preparation of the Directed Study (Part 1), Themes in History (Part 2) and the Long Dissertation (Part 3), although individual supervisory support is also provided.
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and timed examination.
Assessment criteria for each of the Levels are given in the School Handbook but it should be noted that Part 2 modules will count for 33% of the final assessment and Part 3 modules for 67% of the final assessment.
The stucture of the degree programme for single-subject History is as follows:
PART 1
Landmarks in History (20 credits) - this course aims to provide students with a broad framework for understanding medieval, early modern and modern history, asking whether the dates 1066, 1492, 1789 and 1945 really were key turning points.
Approaches to History (20 credits) - this gives students a sense of some of the wide range of different approaches to the study of history through a detailed study of two contrasting historical texts.
Directed Study in History (20 credits) - allows students to study in greater detail a topic in world history.
PART 2
Periods in History (20 credits) - students take three 'Period' modules and the associated 10-credit 'Skills' modules. Each Period examines a chronological span of about 100 to 150 years and is designed to acquaint students with the causes and consequences of continuity and change. Skills modules train students in historical research skills. At least one Period must be medieval or early modern, and one modern.
Themes and Issues in History (20 credits) - this module introduces students to key historiographical debates.
Historical Themes in Practice (10 credits) - a group project related to the Themes and Issues in History module.
Careers Management Skills (5 credits) - to equip students with specific employment-finding skills (alternative exercises are provided for mature students).
PART 3
Topics in History (20 credits) - students take two 'Topics', which provide an opportunity to study shorter periods or more detailed aspects and themes.
Special Subjects (20 credits) - these form the most highly specialised part of the programme where a closely defined subject is studied in depth, using primary sources.
Dissertation (40 credits) - this allows students to choose their own historical subject, and work independently on primary sources.
The structure for the degree programme for joint History is as follows:
See Single-Subject section above for description of module types.
PART 1
The structure of the History component of Part 1 is the same for joint as for single-subject History students.
PART 2
Joint subject students take two 'Period' modules from any two eras, and the two associated 'Skills' modules. Students taking Classics and Medieval Studies must take two Periods from the Medieval era, while those taking Modern History and Politics or Modern History and International Relations must choose from the Modern era.
PART 3
Joint subject students take two Topics or a Special Subject. Joint students take a dissertation but this may be either in History or the other subject, except that students taking History and History of Art have a compulsory bridging dissertation.
Department of History Module Catalogue
For full information on all the modules the History department offers, please see the link below: