History with Politics BA (Hons)

Some optional modules may be studied on the City campus.

Core modules

The Historian's Craft

This module introduces you to a range of historical source collections and guides you through best practice of critically examining source evidence.

History in Action

You will evaluate your skill set and identify gaps to wok on through a minimum of 80 hours of relevant work-like experience, to include placement, volunteering and charity work, community-engaged learning, consultancy or collaborations.

Justice, Ethics and Democracy

Take a critical and reflexive tour through classical and contemporary Western political thought, exploring the continued relevance of some of its most important concepts and ideas. Along the way you will creatively apply the insights of exciting thinkers - such as Machiavelli, J. S. Mill, and Martha Nussbaum – to contemporary case studies of your choosing, spanning current debates in Politics and International Relations to contemporary film, music, literature, or even TV boxsets.

In the second half of the year you will choose from:

Pathway 1: Extended work-like experience

Get the experience you need for after you graduate, and really understand how the things you study translate into the world of work with a work placement. Your highly experienced Employability Team will help you find a placement to suit your career goals from our huge network of companies, historical and heritage organisations, charities, institutions, and beyond.

Pathway 2: An international exchange

Travel the world, meet new friends, and have experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.

Our flexible curriculum has been designed to allow some amazing opportunities for you. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters, giving you the opportunity to take part in an international exchange. You could study with one of international exchange partners in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, Thailand and many, many more.

Our dedicated team will support you in finding and arranging a suitable exchange. And don't worry about the cost, they will help you apply for any grants or loans you may need, as no one should miss out on the chance to broaden their horizons.

Pathway 3: Taught pathway choosing two History modules, and one Politics module from:

History optional modules typically include - choose two

Fascism, Past and Present

Examine and contextualise fascism and fascist regimes both in the past as well as the present - specifically recent neo-fascist movements and illiberal right-wing governments.

People and Planet

Develop an understanding of the human impact on the environment from the 15th Century to the present and how such slow-moving change can interact with social justice.

Global Middle Ages

Consider traditional boundaries of ‘periodisation’ and take a broad geographic perspective on the Medieval period to explore trans-cultural connections.

Tudors and Stewarts: Rulers and representations

Understand the relevance of themes in Tudor and Stuart history to contemporary Britain.

History Online: Researching and Presenting the Past

Create a 'magazine' project to contribute to the History blog.

Politics optional modules typically include - choose one

UK Parliamentary Studies

Gain an in-depth and unique insight into the theory and practice of the institution that lays at the centre of our political system. In this module you will critically analyse the contribution that both Houses of Parliament make to scrutiny, policy making and representation. Throughout the module you will engage with MPs, Peers, and parliamentary officials in order to strip away the ermine and oak panelling to see how the beating heart of our democracy really functions and how you can enact change through it.

Contemporary European Politics

Europe remains a key player in both UK domestic and international politics, and due to its diverse internal complexity, presents a fascinating case study for comparative politics. Examining a host of European nations from the largest/well-known (e.g., France, Spain) to the smallest/relatively less documented (e.g., Malta, Cyprus) the module explores a range of ongoing political issues, such as the role of government, elections/electoral systems, party systems, voter behaviour and more.

Security Studies

In an increasingly dangerous world humans need to work together to find ways of protecting it. In this module you will explore issues relating to contemporary Security Studies - an increasingly important subdivision within the study of International Relations. This can range to the more familiar emphasis on conflict within and between nation states, including the ever-evolving threats of domestic and international terrorism, to perhaps the slightly less dramatic - but equally worrying - events relating to public and environmental health.

The Politics of Art, Film and Literature

Even in the darkest moments of humanity, we humans have created works of art which can inspire empathy and understanding across cultures. In this sense, politics isn’t simply about raw power – it can be about hope, passion, and the stories we encounter both today and those we leave for future generations. In this unique module you will discover the great work of art, books, music, and film; identifying their social and political themes and what they tell us about the human condition in a range of global contexts.

Environmental Politics and Policy

Welcome to the ‘Anthropocene’! Critically explore the historical and ongoing impact of human behaviour on the natural world, situating environmental politics through key events from the late 20^th century onwards. From the local to the global, explore core debates in environmental ethics and green political thought, whilst studying a wide range of domestic and international policies, processes, treaties, and case studies throughout.

Global Political Marketing

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the organisation, behaviour, and impact of political marketing at both a national and international level. The module examines the marketisation of politics on a range of relevant issues, including political behaviour, party organisation, and voting patterns. Key debates will be considered throughout, relating to targeting and positioning, branding, market research, and the relationship between political marketing and fundamental issues such as trust, democracy, and crisis management.

Some optional modules may be studied on the City campus.

Core module

History Research Project

Produce your final year research project which will include a  product pitch , literature review and finally a showcase where you present in an exhibition-style  environment.

Representing History

Apply your historical knowledge and skills to deliver a real world project working for an external client brief.

Leadership, Activism, Campaigning

Throughout the last two years you have learnt the art of communication and how change can be enacted through formal and informal political arenas. You’ve been creative, completing assessments on topics and case studies of your choosing. You’ve built a portfolio of activities and skills which should make you confident about your future. The culmination of these experiences is this module, whereby you get the chance to design a campaign/project on something that matters to you; as too, pitch your reflections on the knowledge and skills gained throughout and their potential for life after Uni.

History optional modules typically include - choose two

Legacies and Memory of Conflict

The module examines the issue of conflict, its legacies and memorialisation. It will focus on a series of historical struggles from around the world and use them to interrogate what happened and why before analysing their traces and consequences in their respective post-conflict eras.

The Global Struggle for Civil and Human Rights

Examine the long struggle for civil and human rights within different national and transnational contexts

History on Trial

Examine and contextualise the issues and controversies that faced various societies in the United States, Great Britain and the Middle East at critical moments in history

History Online: the Value and Values of History

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

Politics optional modules typically include - choose one

British Politics in Uncertain Times

Examine the changing nature of British Politics in the context of global issues. You'll gain an understanding of the origins of vital contemporary issues, such as the resurgence of nationalism in Britain, the leaving of the European Union, the financial crisis and its aftermath and many more. These dynamic, changing and highly volatile issues will be reflected through the lens of key actors in the British state, British interests overseas, and the potential end of the British state as we know it.

US Politics and Policy

Following the events on Capitol Hill, in January 2021, there seems no greater time to examine the complex and increasingly fractious politics and government of the USA. Taking into consideration a range of its ongoing historical tensions, the module will critically interrogate US democracy’s most revered actors and institutions, including its Constitution, Congress, the Supreme Court, the role of the President, and specifically, historical evolutions in domestic and foreign policy.

End of the Liberal Order

Examine the institutions, the politics, and the policy-making process of a range of European states both within and outside the European Union, alongside the institutional workings of the EU itself. The module explores a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, the key actors involved over time, the ideologies in harmony and tension, and ultimately, the uncertain fate of the European project itself.

Political Violence and Terror

Since 9/11 the so-called ‘War on Terror’ has dominated global politics, and whilst today it might appear to have taken a back seat to other issues, it continues to exert its influence. Throughout this module you will explore the evolving relationship between terrorism and political violence. Analysing the concept of ‘insecurity’ in a broad sense throughout, you will examine key theoretical approaches as well as a range of real-world cases, illustrating ultimately its increasingly complex use for political means.

Global Politics of Pop Culture

Expand your understanding of ‘politics’ beyond parliaments, parties and politicians to consider the wider power of cultural representations and experiences. From clothes and music to sport and shopping, this module will encourage you to reflect on the ways in which political, economic, social, and cultural power can manifest itself in a range of everyday, subtle, and often quite innocent ways.

Feminist Thought and Praxis

Delve into some of the many branches of feminist thought and core themes in contemporary feminism. The module explores topics such as the relationship between historical and contemporary approaches to feminist theory, its key ideological undercurrents, from its liberal, ‘first wave’ foundations to contemporary, ‘fourth wave’ manifestations, and the application of feminist theory to a range of exciting case studies today.

Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in World Politics

Since its inception at the start of the 20^th century, whilst mainstream international relations has been dominated by the global north, as you’ll appreciate throughout this module, the axis is surely tipping towards the global south. Throughout the module you will gain an understanding of the political, economic, and social development challenges facing a range of key countries – challenges which at times can spill-over into diverse forms of radical political action that challenge the status quo.

The International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa

Perhaps no region of the world is more misunderstood than the Middle East and North Africa.  In this module you will take an in-depth look at the political economy of the region against the backdrop of its colonial and post-independence history. You will consider the role of both state and non-state actors, examine a range of contemporary security challenges, and consider the potential and opportunities for inter-state cooperation, as too, future possible scenarios for international relations within the continent.