HIS-10029 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This exciting module offers a wide-ranging introduction to the political debates and conflicts that have come to frame the lives of many people in the 21st century. Throughout the module we unravel key developments of the recent past, including how societies modernised, populations grew and political ideologies emerged since the eighteenth century. This was an era of empire and nationalism, the growth of capitalism, huge technological advances, modern warfare, the decline and rise of religion and increasing demands for equality and human rights. Throughout the module you will come to appreciate the many forces that have contributed to a world that would be unrecognisable to earlier generations.

The module introduces first year students to the study of the most significant developments of modern history. It covers political, religious, economic and social themes and considers Europe within a wider world context. It aims to advance students' historical knowledge and understanding by enabling them to comprehend change and continuity in modern history, to relate evidence and case studies to more general issues and make critical evaluations of different historical explanations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate their knowledge of the outlines of the core historical processes identified and explored in the lectures (the rise of nationalism, revolutions, the impact of industrialisation and mass society, secularisation, the emergence of political ideologies, gender history, crime and deviance, imperialism and globalisation) through both oral and written work: 1,2
identify key themes from lectures and consolidate these ideas through reading and discussion: 1,2
develop further their general skills in reading effectively, note-taking from lectures and reading material, oral presentations and debate and essay writing: 1,2
demonstrate and develop their ability to communicate with greater clarity about key historical ideas and concepts, and engage in debate: 1,2

Study hours

12 lectures
12 seminars
12 whole cohort workshops
30 hours seminar preparation
34 hours essay preparation
20 hours lecture consolidation
30 hours exam revision & completion

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment