History and Philosophy BA (Hons)

Explore the ideas, ideologies, and political, social, and economic changes associated with the development of Western Europe and the European States from the late 18th Century to the end of the 20th Century. You will examine revolutions and unifications, empire and colonisation, war and state, the rise of communism and fascism, and the intellectual, economic, cultural and social developments that shaped the modern world.

This module examines the rise of the United States, from its colonial origins to the global superpower it is today. We will consider themes of colonialism, race, slavery, and gender as we explore the connections between America's past and present. By the end of the module, you will understand the origins of modern American nationalism, and of the development of social movements such as Black Lives Matter.

This first-year module introduces you to interdisciplinary study with a focus on how the humanities help us to understand what is means to be human from different disciplinary perspectives, providing you with opportunities to explore and make connections between your subjects. The module introduces the role and value of the humanities to contemporary society. It also encourages you to better understand, and reflect on, your own place within your course and on your academic, personal, and professional development as you transition to higher education. In doing so, the module develops your key academic skills, introduces NTU support, and helps to create a sense of community and belonging for students studying courses in Joint Honours Humanities. For this module you will be assessed through a creative project based on a live brief, and a piece of reflective writing.

Examine the major approaches to moral theory. Learn about utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and virtue ethics in order to examine the central problems of 21st Century applied ethics. These will include problems in environmental ethics and sustainability, business ethics, and the ethics of inclusion and diversity. Write a report on one of the major ethical issues of today, proposing a solution.

Explore the idea of the self and its virtues in ancient Greek and Roman thought. Study the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, and the philosophers of Hellenistic Schools. Learn how ancient philosophy can be viewed as a means of knowing and perfecting the self that allows individuals to see themselves as belonging to something more fundamental and significant.

This module examines the philosophical aspects of everyday life, exploring themes like self-alienation, ignorance, and meaning-making. It highlights philosophy's role in understanding power structures and resistance within daily practices. Students develop critical and interdisciplinary thinking, applying philosophical methods to personal and societal challenges, fostering skills for real-world problem-solving and transformation.

The broad aims of the module are as follows:

• To introduce students to the broad concepts of sustainability and its historical footprint
• To identify sustainable legacies in historical context
• To explore current sustainable development goals and trace their evolution via historical processes
• To identify how sustainability has featured in and is understood in a range of media, from literature, science fiction, poetry and music through to film, journalism and museums

The module will integrate substantial assessed work like experience (AWLE) activities for students through engagement with community-led enterprises and relevant charities that operate across local and international constituencies.

This module explores the role of the historian, and the purpose of history as a discipline, examining how historical narratives develop, and why historians rarely agree. You will be introduced to a range of source collections and guided through how to critically examine and analyse this material as historical evidence.

Explore philosophical themes and perspectives from around the world. Develop an appreciation of the global reach and significance of philosophical perspectives and modes of inquiry - focusing on the universalism/relativism debate, the nature of the relationship between western philosophy at its non-western 'others', as well as philosophical themes in Judaism, Islam, Chinese Philosophy, Buddhism and Japanese Philosophy.

This second-year module enables you to develop your understanding and practice of interdisciplinary study through a focus on the role and value of the humanities for understanding and engaging with sustainable futures and the future of work, beginning with addressing challenges we face in the present and actions we might take. Interrogating local, national, and global sustainability frameworks from a multi- and interdisciplinary perspective, the module provides an opportunity for you to bring together both of your subjects to address questions of sustainability and enterprise in a variety of sectors and contexts. The module enables you to reflect on your own place within these debates and their relation to your academic, personal, and professional development. As part of the module all students will complete an 80-hour work placement experience. You will be assessed through a professional portfolio and placement report.

Gain the knowledge, skills and strategies to build your intercultural communication competence. Analyse and reflect on the impact of culture(s) on your values, assumptions, perceptions, expectations, and behaviours. Build successful verbal and non-verbal communication strategies in different intercultural settings.

Social justice is an important research topic that is inextricably linked to language use. Whether it's racial abuse on social media, prejudice against regional accents in schools, or sexist advertising campaigns, discrimination is a social issue that affects us all in one way or another. This module examines how language can be used to both promote social justice and tackle prejudice and discrimination in a range of institutional and everyday contexts. This module is especially appealing if you wish to pursue a career in advocacy, human resources or journalism.

With an emphasis on topics as diverse as propaganda, racism, gender roles, and sport, this module examines and contextualises the advent of fascism and its effects on European culture and society. We will study the fascisms of yesterday and of today in order to understand how dictatorships are born and how they operate. We will explore how democracy is valued and respected by many, while challenged and undermined by others.

Use the skills and knowledge developed by Humanities students to examine how human behaviour and historical trends have impacted economic systems across national, international and global arenas.

An in-depth exploration of the Northern Ireland Troubles, tracing the conflict from its historical roots through to civil rights activism, the onset of political violence, state responses, and the peace process that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

Develop the key critical thinking skills needed to assess reasons, solve problems, and construct compelling arguments, with a focus on how to apply these skills in everyday life and in a professional setting. Learn the skills of persuasive speaking and understand how to detect logical fallacies and critically assess some of our most deeply held beliefs about ourselves and the world.

Examine the roots of the current mental health crisis and how key philosophical techniques, both ancient and modern, can be deployed in order to alleviate mental health symptoms. Explore philosophical roots of psychotherapeutic treatments and interventions and learn of how ancient Greek philosophy provide the basis for happier and more fulfilled lives.

The Philosophy Major Project will provide you with an opportunity to study a self-chosen philosophical topic in depth guided by expert supervision. It will assist you in reflecting on the academic knowledge, creativity, and professional skills that you will have acquired in the first two years of study, in a way that fosters your intellectual authenticity, alongside a deeper appreciation of the contemporary relevance of philosophically informed modes of questioning, thinking, arguing, and concept creation. The ability of Philosophy to shape today's emerging social, cultural, and political agendas will also be a key focus of your project.

Apply your skills by choosing a historical issue to research independently and communicate your findings through your choice of research product. Supported by group workshops and a dedicated supervisor, you'll explore your chosen theme creatively, and develop key skills throughout the process by pitching your ideas and presenting your findings at an exciting showcase event. Ultimately, you'll design, manage and produce your own distinctive piece of historical research.

This final-year module challenges you to consider the role and value of interdisciplinary research through your academic subjects in advocating for and achieving meaningful social change at different scales. Building on your first- and second-year studies, you will conceptualise, develop, and deliver your own interdisciplinary approach to a live brief focused on an aspect of social change, considering the role of issues such as ethics, justice, power, rights and inequalities, reflecting on the role that is played, or could be played, by humanities disciplines in addressing these global issues. The module also provides you with an opportunity to bring together and reflect on your personal, academic and professional development throughout your degree. For this module you will be assessed through a creative project based on a live brief, and a piece of reflective writing focused on planning for your future beyond undergraduate study.

The medieval period encompassed a spectrum of significant changes for women and men, yet women and other social groups who lacked access to the power and learning of elite men often struggled to make their voices heard in historical sources. This course will explore a range of 'hidden histories' impacted by sex and gender and will examine how scholars have changed approaches to evidence in order to better understand peoples lived experiences and learn about individuals and groups who challenged social norms.

Explore a diverse range of historical subjects based on the latest research and your personal interests.

Explore the concept of the apocalypse in history, examining its social, cultural and religious dimensions across medieval and early modern landscapes. You will encounter the apocalyptic traditions and prophetic voices that defined their age and engage critically with diverse primary sources such as art and imagery, letters, literature and philosophies. The module will show how End Times visions from history still resonate today and can be identified within contemporary fears of apocalyptic and dystopian futures.

This module focuses on the theme of conflict, its impact, and how it is remembered. Through an exploration of a range of conflicts (for example, World War 2, Israel-Palestine, Algeria, Northern Ireland), you will uncover what happened, why, and what the consequences have been. You will then examine how each of these conflicts have been remembered over time and across the different case-studies. The over-arching aim will be to understand the extent to which memories of conflict help us better make sense of our world today.

This module will examine the long struggle for civil and human rights within their national and transnational contexts. This will include the Black Freedom Struggle, civil rights in Northern Ireland, and anti- and de-colonial movements and moments across the globe. We will explore continuities between contemporary and historic struggles, engaging with present-day movements and current sites of activism, such as social media.

Examine the specificity of film and media and their relationship with philosophy by exploring the power of mediating processes and their role as a transmitter of philosophical material. Consider the status of the media artefact and its capacity to shape and inform contemporary identities and experiences. You will also have the opportunity to study philosophical films. Understand the way in which philosophical discourses are able to shape, inform and critique contemporary media practices, experiences and cultures.

Why be morally good? This question has been at the centre of philosophical debate for over two thousand years and has received a host of radically different and distinctive answers from thinkers across space and time. This module will examine and critically assess a key selection of these different views, and then consider their applications to contemporary ethical paradigms regarding moral status and equality.

What is the nature of linguistic meaning? How does language encode thought? How is language used as a tool for getting things done? Each of these questions have received considerable attention from philosophers, and this module will cover some of the main themes. You will address key issues in semantics and pragmatics, and study philosophical work in this area, including that of Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Grice, and Foucault.