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Set yourself up for success in your first year as a historian.

This module gives you the skills, confidence and perspective you need to make the most of university-level history. You’ll learn how to connect ideas across your degree, reflect on your progress, and develop as an independent, critical thinker.

You will:

• see how your history degree fits together by making connections across topics, periods, and approaches
• learn how historians think, research, and debate the past and what it really means to study history at university
• build essential academic skills that will support you throughout your degree and beyond

Through a portfolio of engaging tasks, you’ll track your development, set ambitious goals, and prepare with confidence for more advanced work in your second semester and future years.

Take your next step as a historian in the second semester of your first year.

This module helps you sharpen your skills, reflect on how far you’ve come and think more deeply about what history is and why it matters. You’ll build confidence as an independent learner while developing the tools you need for the next stage of your degree.

You will explore:

• the connections between key themes and concepts across your history modules, helping you see the bigger picture
• how your understanding of history has evolved from school or college to university-level study
• why history matters today and how it shapes contemporary debates, ideas and issues

Working closely with your personal tutor, you’ll complete a portfolio designed to encourage reflection, self-assessment and independent thinking. By the end of the module, you’ll be better equipped to analyse historical sources, take ownership of your learning and move confidently into year two and beyond.

How did the world change between 1500 and 1800 - and why does it matter?

This ‘explorations’ module dives into the dramatic political, social and cultural transformations that shaped the early modern world in Europe and far beyond. From empire-building and religious upheaval to war, work and everyday life, you’ll explore how power was challenged, identities were reshaped and societies were remade.

Key themes include:

• the rise of new empires and their global consequences
• religious conflict and the ways it redrew political and cultural boundaries
• warfare and its impact on rulers, elites and ordinary people
• social and economic change - and how it shaped daily life
• the lived experiences of marginalised groups often left out of traditional narratives

You’ll work closely with primary sources and debate how historians interpret them, sharpening your ability to think critically, argue effectively and understand the past on its own terms.

What shaped the medieval world, and how did it evolve over a thousand years?

This ‘explorations’ module takes you on a journey through a millennium of medieval history, exploring how societies were built, challenged and transformed. From kings and empires to everyday life, belief and identity, you’ll discover a world that was dynamic, diverse and constantly changing.

You will explore:

• how power worked in the medieval world, from kingdoms and empires to local rule and how these systems changed over time
• what daily life was like for people across medieval society, including peasants, merchants, elites and minority communities
• the religious and cultural movements that shaped beliefs, identities and ways of life
• key questions around race, gender and minority experiences in medieval societies
• connections between Europe, the Islamic world and the Far East through trade, travel, conflict and cultural exchange

You’ll work with original medieval sources alongside historians’ interpretations, learning how to analyse evidence, question narratives and think critically about the past. This module gives you a strong foundation in medieval history and introduces ideas and approaches you’ll use throughout your degree.

Explore the ideas, events and movements that transformed the modern world.

This ‘explorations’ module takes you on a fast-moving journey through the dramatic changes that reshaped society and culture between 1800 and 2000. You’ll explore a period marked by innovation, conflict, protest and global connection, laying the foundations of today’s world.

You will explore:

• new ideas and game-changing technologies that transformed how people lived, worked and communicated
• political upheaval, war and revolution, and their lasting impact on nations and societies
• the rise of powerful social movements campaigning for rights, equality and justice
• major economic changes and shifting cultural values in an increasingly industrial and consumer society
• global and transnational connections linking Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia through empire, migration and exchange

Working with original historical sources and historians’ interpretations, you’ll learn how to analyse evidence, question established narratives and build persuasive arguments. By the end of the module, you’ll have a strong understanding of modern history and the research and analytical skills you’ll use throughout your degree and beyond.

How can the arts help us think about health and cope with illness?Ìý What can the arts contribute to healthcare practice and policy?

You will explore big questions like these, looking at how the arts can engage with the crucial issues in health today and build a better vision of health for the future.

We will cover major themes including:

• Representing health - look critically at representations of good and poor health, found in politics, religion, art, film, literature, and philosophy.
• Mental health - explore what mental health is, and how it differs from physical health. You’ll look critically at themes such as the marketisation of mental health, the history of mental health institutions, and the ethics of psychiatry.
• Communicating health - how health is communicated in personal, public, and professional settings. We’ll explore questions such as why it is so important that patient voices are heard in communicating about health.
• Health inequalities - look critically at striking inequalities in health, including patterns of gender, race, class, sexuality and economic differences in health and access to healthcare.

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From treatment, information, care, and outreach, understanding the health humanities provides career opportunities for the next century.

This module is worth 10 credits.

We live in a data-driven society. Information is used for everything from predicting our shopping habits, to understanding global weather patterns, and has radically changed our world.

From the development of Artificial Intelligence to robotics and the use of ‘big data’, the capture and use of information is essential in modern society. To make sure these developments help solve problems, and are not used for harm, we need the arts and humanities to set boundaries and ask questions.

You will:

• Explore topics such as privacy, surveillance, power and representation
• Learn how modern technology can replicate historical biases and ignore contemporary struggles
• Gain the background and context to contemporary issues on data and society
• Question the limits we place on technology in our world
• Explore how the arts and humanities shape, direct and protect against the way data is used

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This module is worth 10 credits.

Learn the basics of creating and editing audio and visual material.

From podcasting, photo editing, photography, video editing and sound editing, you can work on how your digital skills can be used to communicate and inspire.

You will be guided through a series of tutorials and examples where you can develop your skills and produce your own content.

This work will be developed through examples and case studies from across the faculty, where audio and visual materials have been used by researchers within their work.

Examples include:

• Virtual reality renditions of historical photographs
• ÌýImmersive museum experiences
• Audio installations to share stories about migration and sustainability
• Interactive events to inspire young people about languages and cultures past and present

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This module is worth 10 credits.

Epidemics and infectious illnesses have shaped our world. Most recently, the Coronavirus pandemic dramatically changed the way we work and socialise, with lasting effect.

We will explore the past and present of infectious disease, including how cultures, religions, literature and art have been shaped by the interaction between humans and disease.

You will learn about:

• The variety of human responses to sickness
• How ideas about illness are expressed across the world
• Drug resistant bacteria and mutations of viruses
• How the arts help societies to process the impact of disease - it is often through music, literature, philosophy and media that suffering is expressed and issues raised

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This module is worth 10 credits.

Our digital revolution has been led by the arts and humanities.

From mobile apps to learn languages, to video tutorials on how to play an instrument, the use of digital platforms has transformed our disciplines.

In an age defined by ecological issues, technological change and political upheaval across the world, it is the arts and humanities which provide vital links between the past, present and future. It is now more important than ever that we connect communities, challenge structures of power and address inequality.

You will examine how the digital arts changed the world, using examples from a range of mediums from across the globe. This could be a community walking app, that has brought hidden histories to light, a crowd-sourced projects that have given a platform to new voices, or social media forums that link music, philosophy and literature to contemporary debates.

This module is worth 10 credits.

We are in a state of climate emergency. Sustainability and climate change is on both political and personal agendas like never before.

On this module, you will:

• Examine the idea of ‘sustainability’ - looking at the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental challenges that sustainability aims to address
• Link issues of climate change, and our responses to them, to shifting ideas about nature and its distinctness from culture, the scientific and industrial revolutions, and the emergence of the Western world
• Examine Western culture’s way of defining the ‘environment’ and our relationship with nature
• Look at the diverse ways in which different cultures imagine nature

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The arts and humanities do not offer quick fixes to our problems, but ways of thinking that can change the world. We do this through understanding context, process and change.

We show how the arts and humanities sheds light on the history of the present and directs us towards the future.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore how the arts and humanities contribute to sustainability.

From stories, to images and representation, the ways we understand the world also shape how we understand sustainability.

With a focus on globalisation, and the accelerating pace of climate change in the 20^th and 21^st centuries, we will think about the problems raised by the climate crisis.Ìý

You will:

• Learn about debates around the Anthropocene, the era of humanity’s marked impact on the environment
• Examine the controversies and disputes that have emerged about our relationship with nature
• Explore how we can tell stories about climate change – for example through the literature and music of marginalised groups across the world, who feel the impact of climate change first

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By considering how everyday life choices are linked to the environment, the module offers an imaginative way to explore the challenges of sustainable living.ÌýÌýYou will gain the tools to challenge opinion and identify how local ideas can offer a solution to global problems.

This module is worth 10 credits.

From filters to fake news, we are exposed to a huge amount of information in our day-to-day lives.

Whether through advertising, promotion, policies or the media, the (mis)information we are exposed to is intended to influence us, change our minds, or maybe even censor and withhold information about important issues.

To challenge this, we need to think critically about data. This module will give you the skills to do just that.

You’ll gain the critical skills to observe, question, and act when the facts do not support what’s being represented. We will also introduce approaches you can use to question visual, textual, quantitative and qualitative information. This could include:

• Causality
• Statistics
• Bias
• Content analysis
• Language

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Critical analysis is an important skill, not only so we can preserve our freedoms and protect from harm caused by misinformation, but in the workplace too. The ability to make judgements that are based on logic is a key transferable skill.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Writing inspires change. From the academic textbook that demonstrates a new concept, to a blog post that influences habits, writing can change the world.

On this module, you will learn to think critically about yourself and society, through reflecting on how you write.

Writing lets us occupy different spaces and identities. You can write to develop your sense of self, to enlighten others, or to build connections. Writing skills are more than just how to write an academic essay. Writing can give you an insight into who you are, your values and future direction.

During your studies, you will use writing to develop analytical approaches which can enhance your work and prepare you for your future career. Focusing on the diversity of experiences and backgrounds, interests and motivations, we show how meaningful writing can lead, inspire and transform.Ìý

This module is worth 10 credits.

Understand theÌýcentral roleÌýof political parties in the British political system. This module examines the structures,ÌýideologiesÌýand fortunes of British political parties, helping you grasp their importance in shaping government policy and public opinion.

Investigate the principles of democracy and the arguments of its critics. This module uses primary sources to explore historical and contemporary debates in democratic theory, helping you develop analytical skills to assess its merits and limitations.

Explore how national identities are expressed and contested in everyday life. This module examines the role of identity in local and international contexts, teaching you key approaches in qualitative research and data analysis.

Explore global security issues from the Cold War to the present day. This module covers everything from state use of force and cyberÌýsecurityÌýto human security and nuclear weapons, building on first-year modules to deepen your theoretical and empirical knowledge of international security.

Discover the factors that influence voting behaviour in elections. This module explores whether voters base their choices on party policies, past successesÌýor other factors like media coverage and party leaders.ÌýYou'llÌýgain skills to evaluate arguments about electoral behaviour.

Gain a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Chinese politics and public policy. This module covers the evolution of authoritarianism, the structure of the party-stateÌýand key policy areas, helping you understand the challenges of governance in China.

Examine key themes in political theory, such as justice and equality. This module looks at contemporary issues like wealth distribution, civilÌýdisobedienceÌýand environmental concerns, encouraging you to think critically about the role of justice in global politics.

Delve into the current debates in European politics, from party systems and elections to populism and immigration. This module covers both long-established and newer democracies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the political and social changes in Europe.

Study the evolution of international political economy (IPE) with a focus on development. This module introduces different theoretical approaches and examines the empirical development of the global economy since World War II, preparing you for advanced studies in international relations.

This module explores the causes of political and religious instability in England in the century before the Civil War, with a particular focus on the problematic creation of a national identity. We begin by looking at the troubled political and religious legacy inherited by Queen Elizabeth. We then examine some of the forces that united and divided English men and women during the period:

• How did monarchs and local elites seek to justify their authority in this period?
• To what extent were ideas of hierarchy and obedience queried or accepted?
• What impact did such ideas have on daily life?

Areas for consideration include:

• government ideology
• popular beliefs and literacy
• the persecution and toleration of religious minorities
• the politics of the parish
• attitudes towards birth, marriage and death.

The module aims to give a history of European and Near East Jewry in the modern period from the late 19th to the mid 20th century. It analyses Jewish intellectual, social and cultural life through the lens of religious culture. It seeks to provide valuable insight into Jewish history and culture for both students in history and theology and religious studies.

The module offers an overview of the history of witchcraft and covers a wide geographical area spreading from Scotland to the Italian peninsula and from Spain to Russia. Such breadth of reference is of vital importance because, in contrast to the uniform theology-based approach to witch persecution in Western and Central Europe, the world of Eastern Orthodox Christianity represented a very different system of beliefs that challenged western perceptions of witchcraft as a gendered crime and lacked their preoccupation with the diabolical aspect of sorcery. The module’s geographical breadth is complemented by thematic depth across a range of primary sources and case studies exploring the issues of religion, politics, and social structure.

The module mixes intellectual, cultural and social history to produce an overview of cultural trends in Britain between c. 1830 and 1901. Key themes include:

• The Victorians, An Overview
• Religion: Sin and Redemption
• Poverty
• Cities
• Sanitation
• Sexuality
• Consumerism and the Mass Market
• Entertainment
• Evolution

Discover the environmental history of the Western World over the past two centuries. The great nature-people stories that have shaped who we are today.

You will examine the history of environmental ideas and our changing and complex attitudes to animals and nature, alongside the history of human impacts on the environment. We will use the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain as case studies. Ultimately, we ask, can environmental history save the world in the 21st century?

Topics include:

• species history and the rewilding debate
• the rise of environmental protection groups
• the role of the state in environmental protection
• the history of pollution and pesticide use
• the National Park movement
• the Nature Reserve and the rise of outdoor leisure and recreation
• the emergence of modern environmentalism and campaigning
• the role of wildlife television and natural history film-making

This module is a must for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the environmental sector.

This module is worth 20 credits

This module examines the myths and legends of the ‘British’ Isles as written about by twentieth-century authors such as JRR Tolkien in Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, and the Silmarillion, and by CS Lewis in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Series.

You will explore the historiography of British myth-making and whether Tolkien and Lewis were retelling, reinventing or fabricating British mythology. Students will also be invited to explore the foundation of British myths known colloquially within the term ‘The Matter of Britain.’

The module will begin with defining the difference between myths, legends and history and explore issues of chivalry, nobility and ethnicity in Arthurian legends. Students will be encouraged to decolonise these myths, re-interpreting whether they are fantasies, or an exoticisation of something else, such as ethnic groups and gendered politics.

Later parts of this module will explore the myth-making and rituals detailed in the extensive works of antiquarian writers.

This module introduces the history of the British imperial expansion in India from the mid eighteenth century, through to the Rebellion in 1857. It covers:

• the rise of trade relations with India
• the growth of territorial rule through war and negotiation with Indian rulers
• resistance to imperial rule through mutiny
• the debate over sati (widow immolation)

This module covers two-and-a-half centuries in Japan during the early modern era when the land was governed by a dynasty of Tokugawa shogun rulers. Often characterized as a period of relative stability, it was also a time of profound social, cultural and intellectual change. Lectures and seminars address some of the historical forces that would combine to transform society and lay the foundations for Japan’s subsequent encounters with modernity. Key themes include: the premises of Tokugawa rule, control mechanisms and relations with daimyo lords; the self-imposed policy of seclusion, trade and external relations; transport networks, class mobility and urbanization; the emergence of ‘the Floating World’ and the growth of popular culture; natural disasters, famine and economic crises; the responses of competing schools of thought drawing on Japanese, Chinese and European texts to address problems within Japanese society; the ‘Opening of Japan’ and the collapse of the Tokugawa World.

This module examines political, social and economic transformations in the Soviet Union from the October Revolution of 1917 to Gorbachev’s attempted reforms and the collapse of the state in 1991. You will look at Russia both from the top down (state-building strategies; leadership and regime change; economic and social policy formulation and implementation) and from the bottom up (societal developments and the changing structures and practices of everyday life). You will usually spend three hours in lectures and seminars each week.

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This module surveys and analyses social change in Britain during and after the Second World War, up to the end of the Attlee’s Labour government in 1951. Key issues include:

• changing gender roles and expectations
• the experience and impact of rationing, bombing, conscription, voluntary service and direction by central government
• historiographical debates about whether Britain was united against a common enemy
• propaganda, mass communication and the management of information
• planning for a post-war world, including the creation of the National Health Service and the reform of the education system
• post-war reconstruction of cities
• reactions to the Holocaust, atomic weaponry, returning service personnel, returning Prisoners of War
• post-war austerity
• representations of the period and the construction of memory

This module explores the political, social, cultural and economic dynamics of colonial encounters, from the rise of the Spanish global empire around 1600 to the late 19th-century Scramble for Africa.Ìý

Focusing on interactions between European imperial powers and societies in the Global South, it examines themes such as race, resistance, religion, governance and transoceanic exchanges across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean Worlds.

The module critically engages with non-Western perspectives as primary sources. You will analyse how colonised peoples navigated, contested and reshaped imperial systems, fostering a nuanced understanding of colonialism’s legacies. Ideal for those seeking to interrogate Eurocentric narratives, this module equips you with the tools to dissect power, agency and cultural hybridity in modern history.

The discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard forced historians to re-evaluate Early Medieval England and ask new questions about this crucial formative stage of history. The items discovered are almost exclusively connected to warfare, yet many show evidence of very high levels of craftsmanship, reflecting the fact that this period was one characterised by brutal and relentless fighting whilst at the same time maintaining an extraordinarily rich culture.

The history of this era of conversions, conflicts and cultural renaissances is documented primarily by Bede (c. 673-735), whose career at the monastery at Wearmouth and Jarrow culminated with the production of the first synthetic history of the English (the Ecclesiastical History of the English People). Bede’s writings are complemented by copious archaeological evidence, most famously through artefacts such as the Franks Casket and Sutton Hoo Helmet, monumental stone crosses at Ruthwell and Bewcastle, and fabulous manuscripts like the Lindisfarne, and Lichfield Gospels. Students will utilise these sources, plus a wide variety of other items of textual and non-textual evidence to explore the cultures of the early English kingdoms.

The first semester will focus on the era of conversion documented in the Ecclesiastical History, and the second will consist of a detailed analysis of Bede’s wider body of work. Finally, students will critically evaluate the terminology attached to this period and familiarise themselves with recent debates about the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’.

This module explores the social history of modern health, examining key themes such as disease, public health, medical knowledge and the evolution of medical practice.ÌýÌý

Through case studies, you will explore topics like nursing, mental health, psychoanalysis, pharmacy and medical consumerism, while considering the impacts of healthcare on marginalised groups.ÌýÌý

Covering the 19th and 20th centuries, you will delve into the development of health professions, the rise of psychiatry and psychology, and the shifting perceptions of illness, gaining insights into how healthcare has shaped and been shaped by society.Ìý

This module explores the ideas that have shaped Britain’s recent history, examining both the political beliefs of leaders and the cultural representations by artists, novelists and filmmakers.ÌýÌý

Each week, you will analyse key events or artifacts within their social and political contexts, engaging in discussions about how identities and ideologies have evolved since the early 1990s.Ìý

This module explores key themes in medieval history through the study of individual lives, from kings and warriors to peasants, saints and merchants.Ìý

You will examine a diverse range of figures across different cultures and classes, using various sources such as biographies, literature and legal records.

The module challenges you to consider how we understand medieval life and what it reveals about values, desires and historical significance. Through lectures and student-led seminars, you will delve into the complexities of reconstructing lived experiences in the Middle Ages.

This module examines the crucial role of the Ukrainian Cossack state (1654-1764) in the formation of the Russian Empire. Focusing on the military alliance between Muscovy and the Cossacks, you will explore how the relationship shaped Russia’s westward imperial expansion.Ìý

The module covers the rise of the Romanov dynasty, Ukraine’s transformation into a colony, the development of Russian imperial ideology, and the role of religious discourse in state-building. Through this study, you will gain insights into the intersection of political, cultural and religious forces in early modern empire-making.

This module explores everyday life in the Russian Empire from 1855 to 1917, focusing on how the Empire was governed and the experiences of its subjects. You will examine the state's management of religious, ethnic and national tensions, as well as the process of modernisation.Ìý

Key themes include the development of social identities and the dynamic between rural and urban spaces during this transformative period leading up to the collapse of the autocracy.

The module explores the diversity of ways in which Jews and Christians interacted in middle Ages, seeking to offer alternative views to these of Jews as mere victims in a religious struggle or of economic envy. We will study the complex economic interconnections between the two groups, considering the new approaches to the role of Jewish moneylending and international trade and its connections with structures of power in both communities. The module will also investigate crucial ideas on anti- Semitism and anti-Judaism and will look into case studies of intolerance and conflict between Jews and Christians. Themes to study here are the massacres of Jews in the Rhineland during the First Crusade, the persecution of Jews during the Black Death and the construction of Blood libel and ritual murder accusations. The module will also examine the internal life of the Jewish communities of Western Europe looking at communal organisation and leadership. We will consider differences amongst Jewish communities in different locations of the medieval European landscape in their understanding of Jewish Law and tradition, as well as in their own patterns of interaction with the Christian political and religious authorities in different locations. At the same time, we will explore the common cultural and religious characteristics and the creation of extensive national and supranational Jewish networks. Finally, we will evaluate the historiography on the subject and the changing of perspectives on the history of the Jews in Europe, analysing the debates arisen amongst scholars with their own ideologies, methods and approaches.

Political and constitutional history forms the core of this module, which covers a period when kingship in England was a high-risk occupation. From the mid 13th century until the late 15th century a series of political crises rocked the English monarchy, resulting in as many as seven depositions. The module investigates the nature of kingship and the circumstances when a king's authority was challenged.

This module examines the social and cultural world of 18th century England in the period when it enters the modern world.

Areas for consideration include:

• the structure of society
• constructions of gender and culture
• family life and marriage
• the urban world
• consumerism and culture
• the press and the reading public
• crime
• social protest and the rise of radical politics

In 1919, in the Versailles Palace on the outskirts of Paris, the ‘Big Three’ of French premier Georges Clemenceau, British prime minister David Lloyd George and American president Woodrow Wilson dominated the conference that shaped the new world order emerging from the ashes of the Great War. At that moment, the significance and influence of France, Britain and the United States was undeniably decisive.

This module looks at both the prelude to and the repercussions of that moment in 1919, using relations between these three Powers to tell a story of international history in the first half of the 20th century. Starting with incidents of Anglo-American tension in Latin America and near-war between Britain and France in North Africa, we trace diplomatic relations from enmity to ententes and alliances, culminating in the Allied victory in WW1.

After unpicking the deliberations in Paris in 1919, the module considers how the three became estranged, uneasy Anglo-French relations persisting through the interwar period and American isolation rendering meaningful cooperation impossible, weakening the democratic response to the dictatorships. Finally, we consider the impact of the Second World War, the fall of France in 1940 and the ultimate Allied victory in that conflict.

White women cut an ambivalent figure in the history of the British Empire. They tend to be remembered as malicious harridans personifying the worst excesses of colonialism, as vacuous fusspots, whose lives were punctuated by frivolous pastimes, or as casualties of patriarchy, constrained by male actions and gendered ideologies.

As this module shows, however, the reality of the situation was much more intricate and complex. Taking inspiration from academic literature that has proliferated in the last 30 years or so, the module draws upon case studies from Britain, Canada, India, Australia and southern Africa to examine the lived reality of being a white woman in a colonial setting.

Utilising the histories of white women as a prism through which to understood broader issues relating to religion, gender, race, class, domesticity, sexuality and suffrage, this module will also expose you to a range of primary source materials, including diaries, letters, novels and memoirs.

Core topics will include:

• Women and Empire: Debates and Perspectives
• Turning Pioneers into Settlers: Constructing the Female Emigran
• Madam and Memsahib: The Women of the Raj
• Saving Souls: Female Missionaries
• Deviance and Desire: Colonial Prostitution
• The Politics of Pots and Pans: Domesticity and Colonialism
• Colonising the Body: Health, Hygiene and Nurses
• Education and Improvement: Colonial Classrooms
• Struggles within THE struggles: Women and Decolonisation
• Imperial Aftershock: Whiteness at the end of Empire

This module covers the history of China from the 1840s through to the Communist Revolution of 1949. It looks at social, cultural, political and economic developments in this period – during which the Qing Dynasty was overthrown, a republic was established, China was invaded by Japan and a civil war between the Nationalists and Communists was experienced.

The module focuses in particular on the ways in which Chinese society responded to the arrival of ‘modernity’ in the form of the Western powers and Japan throughout the period in question, but also how different groups in China tried to remould and redefine China as a ‘modern’ nation-state and society on its own terms.

Seminar topics may cover the following kinds of debates:

1. Was Republican China ‘better’ than what came before or after it?
2. How unequal were the unequal treaties?
3. Was the 1911 revolution inevitable?
4. What was ‘warlordism’ and how did it reshape China politically?
5. Were Republican-era cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou cosmopolitan?
6. Was China under Chiang Kai-shek fascist?
7. The rural origins of Chinese communism
8. Was Manchukuo a legitimate state?
9. Can Chinese ‘collaboration’ with the Japanese under wartime occupation be justified?
10. Why did the Communists win the Chinese Civil War?

This interdisciplinary module examines the intersection between speculative fiction and Black historical representation, focusing on how creative works of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as fantasy and science-fiction literature and film, reimagine key events such as slavery, colonisation and post-colonial societies and struggles.

Drawing on Sylvia Wynter’s ideas of humanity as a storytelling species, the module explores how narratives shape not only our understanding of history but also what it means to be human in the contemporary and past. Wynter argues that humans are defined by the stories they tell about themselves, and this module will examine how speculative fiction by Black authors offers an alternative domain of imagining that challenges dominant narratives about race, identity and Black history.

Through an analysis of novels, visual media, essays and cultural studies, the module will explore how these speculative histories engage with and question the ‘genres of being human’ that Wynter critiques—particularly those that have historically marginalised Blackness. By reimagining the past and presenting alternative visions of the future, these works encourage you to consider the power of storytelling in reshaping cultural memory, history and understanding of the Black Diaspora.

The module aims to provide you with a sound knowledge of key developments in the Middle East and North Africa between the collapse of the Ottoman empire and the emergence of a politicised version of Islam. You will familiarise yourself with the key historical debates surrounding, for example, the relative impact of regional and international factors and begin to work with some primary documentary material relating to political and diplomatic developments.

You will also be encouraged to use primary source material from the region and to consider the role historical events have played in framing current problems in the Middle East and North Africa. The module focuses primarily on the political and diplomatic history of the region, including the creation of the modern state system after World War I, the continuing influence of Western imperialism and the impact of the Cold War. However, broader themes are also considered – in particular, the role of competing ideologies in the region and the impact external actors have had in shaping the modern politics of the region.

Across the 20th century, Poland’s rulers, borders and inhabitants have undergone significant changes. A history of Poland, and the people(s) inhabiting Polish lands, will help you to understand this rising economic power in the heart of Europe. Placing it in relation to its neighbours to the east and west will emphasise how Poland, in its current form, is a product of both sides and the long shadows of partition, independence, war, occupation, and communism.Ìý

Using a wealth of primary material from translated memoirs to poetry, film, music, comics and visual propaganda alongside official documentation and historiography, this module will provide a comprehensive history of Poland’s twentieth century, and how it has been affected by neighbours to the east and west. It presents the social, political and cultural history from Partitioned Poland to gaining independence and advancing civic and cultural freedoms, to an analysis of contemporary Poland’s increasingly restrictive society. In thematically organised topics, often drawing sharp distinctions and parallels between Poland and her neighbours, the major processes of modernisation through selected case studies will highlight the significance of twentieth-century Poland in Europe.

The module introduces you to the cultural historiography on how urban modernity transformed everyday life into European cities (covering the period 1840 to 1900). In particular, it focuses on a range of new spaces, objects, images, practices and discursive representations through which people tried to come to terms with rapid processes of social change.

These provide a number of thematic approaches that build into a composite picture of how everyday experience was reshaped during this period. Topics may include:

• ‘Haussmannisation’ as a socio-economic process and the contested terrain of the boulevard
• the development of mapping, surveying and statistics
• the bourgeois home as a site of identity and the meanings of interior design
• the department store and other contested sites of consumer culture
• street-harassment and the ‘problem’ of the urban woman
• slum literature as a source of anxiety and control
• museum culture, exhibitions and the ordering of imperial knowledge
  

This module introduces you to the study of American conservatism and the right in contemporary history since 1945, with particular emphasis on the changing ways in which historians have interpreted these developments, including their use of new methodologies, approaches, sources and concepts.

Potential themes include:

• race
• sex and gender
• religion
• political economy
• urban space
• the history of ideas
• populism
• extremism and the far right
• media
• transnationalism

Engaging with a variety of secondary and primary source material, the module provides you with a deeper understanding of both the history of the American right since 1945 and the ways that history has been constructed - and deconstructed - over time.

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The module examines major events and themes in 20th-century international politics. The module is taught from the disciplinary standpoint of International Relations rather than that of International History. Various theoretical perspectives and debates are, therefore, brought to bear on explaining and understanding the events of the last century.

Examine the rise of fascist movements in interwar Europe, following the First World War.

We focus in particular on the cases of Italy and Germany and also look at other cases for comparison (i.e. Spain, Britain, France, and Romania). This in order to understand why certain movements were more popular than others and able to seize power.

We will examine:

• the nature of fascist ideology
• the use of violence
• fascism and masculinity and femininity

We will also analyse the practice of the Fascist and National Socialist governments in power, comparing these with particular reference to repression and attempts to build ‘consent’, gendered policies on ‘race’, and expansion through conquest.

The module ends by considering the Axis and genocide during the Second World War.

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module is based around a challenge: how do we use the digital humanities?

You are presented with a series of problems about how we can use the arts and humanities to address some of the major issues we face in technology and society.

For example, the acceleration of technology in both private and public life is immense, but this rapid pace of change should not prevent reflection.

In this module, you consider the major contemporary issues of how technology shapes our present and our future. We respond to these concerns using the specific skillset of the arts and humanities, where we ask: what does it mean to be human?

This module is worth 10 credits.

Stand out in your job search with employability skills and hands-on experience.

Learn key skills, from constructing an outstanding CV to practicing interview technique, before completing a part-time placement in the spring. This will be for one day a week, or equivalent, for up to eight weeks.

You can apply for placements in relevant local organisations. The dedicated faculty placement team have an established list of providers, or you can arrange your own placement, subject to approval.

Our placements include a range of sectors, including:

• creative and cultural industries
• media
• marketing
• heritage and museums
• the music industry
• education
• charitable and third-sector organisations

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These are subject to change each year.

You will develop a wide range of transferable skills, including:

• communication
• presentation
• organisation
• professionalism
• time management skills

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Assessment is through an online portfolio of materials, including application materials, reflective writing and a research report.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Community engagement is important in many careers, from politics and social work to marketing and business.

We do not work in a vacuum - our research and activities are linked to individuals and groups across society.ÌýBy learning to engage with communities, researchers can reach wide audiences, learn from them and collaboratively make a real contribution to overcoming social problems.Ìý

We need to understandÌýhowÌýengagementÌýworksÌýin order to work collaboratively, respectfully and sustainability with communities.

In this module, we will:

• Explore how our staff and students work with communities – from supporting immigrant communities settling into Nottingham, to engaging with schools to promote literacy and career opportunities
• DiscussÌýhow activism and advocacyÌýcan becomeÌýpart of academic work
• Explore how community engagement is structured and organised and how we can ensure our work within the arts and humanities has relevance and impact for diverse audiences

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This module will prepare you for your future career, by focusingÌýon the key skill of the arts and humanities: our ability to support and engage with those around us.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore the histories and legacies of colonisation, alongside the routes to justice through decolonisation.

Using examples from across the globe, we explore the impact of colonisation on society, politics, economics, and culture.

You will consider contemporary examples and a wide range of evidence, sources and perspectives, including from:

• art
• film
• literature
• archive materials and documents
• music and performance

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You will also explore the debates around reconciliation, restitution and justice.

Together we will build an interdisciplinary analysis, drawing upon the research of the whole faculty to uncover, assess and deconstruct the practices of colonialism and their implications for our contemporary world. Ìý

This module is worth 10 credits.

Doing an arts and humanities degree means you’ll gain the skills which are essential for changing the world we live in. Not only that, you are uniquely positioned to understand people, processes and culture.

This module lets you apply that knowledge to solve a real-life problem. The aim is for you to develop your understanding of your degree, and the range of careers open to you.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team on a real project connected to impact, which we define as our ability to ‘make change happen’. These projects have been designed by individuals, groups and organisations that are looking to make a difference to our world. This might be about sustainability, business, equality, culture, politics or society.

Teams will be given a project brief. You will then be guided through how to shape a project, and how to work as a team and deliver results. This will give you the employment skills and experience to show how you can make an impact as an arts and humanities graduate.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Wellbeing, the crisis in mental health care, and clapping for NHS staff during the Covid pandemic are all examples of health humanities. On this module, you will be exploring contemporary challenges in this area.

To build a healthier society, enabling access to healthcare for all, we must consider how people act, behave and build connections.

You will look at:

• how the arts and humanities respond to major issues in health, medicine and wellbeing – i.e. exploring how individuals use art, literature and culture to understand pain and loss, or analysing human behaviour with regard to new medicines and our relationship to health sciences
• topics such as cultural representations of health, places of medical treatment, or the relationship between medicine and emotions

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The major challenges in health provision and healthcare can be influenced and directed by the arts and humanities. This module shows you how this field can be a powerful tool for change.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Discover how our world is experienced through language.

We live in a global society, where different languages build our perceptions, ideas and values. In this module, we respect that difference and participate in it.

You will:

• Use multilingualism as a tool to challenge our own thinking and to comprehend the lives of others in society
• Work through etymologies and translations from a wide range of languages, including Russian, Spanish, French and German
• Learn how understanding languages - not just speaking and reading them - can be vital in contributing to our community, enriching your experience, and participating in a global society

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No knowledge of any language is needed, as we focus on understanding what it means to live in our multi-lingual world.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore how Nottingham creates ideas, identities, culture and products, alongside how you as a student are also ‘Made in Nottingham’.

This module will help you begin shaping your skills for the career you want, drawing upon the way arts and humanities work has transformed the city.

From the entrepreneurs who have set up businesses or those who have created and enriched charities and social projects, to the writers, artists, musicians and teachers who have all been created in Nottingham. We use their experience, their understanding and their skills to help you define your own path for after university.

You will be able to build your profile through this module, develop your own career narrative to use in your future work as well as engage in the variety of opportunities that are open to you as an arts graduate.

Through this module, we’ll address what it means to be ‘Made in Nottingham’.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module involves the in-depth study of a historical subject of your choice. You will research and write a 10,000 word dissertation.

In many respects it is the culmination of your degree, bringing together the skills you have developed across the course. You will have regular meetings with a specialist, dedicated supervisor and a weekly lecture to guide you through this task.

Recent dissertation topics have included:

• Richard II, William Shakespeare and the Revolution of 1399
• The Image of the Male Witch in Early Modern Iceland
• Lord Salisbury and the Mediterranean Agreements: Revisiting Anglo-German Relations, 1886-1896
• A Re-evaluation of Prince Lichnowsky's Role as the German Ambassador in London in the July 1914 Crisis
• Interwar British Fascist Movements and Race, 1922-1940
• 'No Country, No Home': The Abandonment of the South Vietnamese by the United States after the Vietnam War
• Visions of Loathing and Desire: Representations of Masculinity in Late Soviet Posters

Undertake a sustained piece of research in politics and international relations. This module allows you to choose a topic, conduct researchÌýandÌýwriteÌýa dissertation, developing skills in self-organisation, dataÌýretrievalÌýand intellectual writing.

Continue your dissertation research and analysis. This module builds on Dissertation A, helping you complete your dissertation and further develop your research and writing skills.

Dive into the key themes and debates in African politics. This module covers nationalist resistance, theories of the African state, politicalÌýeconomyÌýand relations with former colonial powers.ÌýYou'llÌýexplore contemporary political developments and understand the complexities of African politics from multiple perspectives.

Explore China's role as a rising superpower. This module examines China's foreign policy, political and economic relations with major powersÌýand its global influence, helping you understand the dynamics of China's interactions with the world.

Examine the role of political ideas and ideologies in contemporary Britain. This module looks at how mainstream and non-mainstream parties and social movements influence policies and practices, helping you understand the significance of political ideologies.

Explore the relevance of 'left' and 'right' as organising principles in contemporary politics. This module examines their use in party competition, policy formation, publicÌýopinionÌýand media consumption, helping you understand their role in linking mass populations and political elites.

Study the development and functioning of political parties and party systems in democratic states worldwide. This module focuses on post-transitional democracies, using analytical concepts and empirical indicators to understand party organisation and system stability.

This module seeks to introduce students to theories of race and racialisation, including, but not limited to, postcolonial theory, orientalism, and intersectionality. After learning the basics of these theoretical lenses, students will study the politics of race in different country contexts through countries’ histories of colonialism and imperialism as well as contemporary racial and ethnic disparities.  Ìý

UnderstandÌýthe international role of the European Union. This module covers the foreign policy, security and economic policies of the EU and EU member states.

Investigate the relationship between ethnic groups and political conflict. This module examines the rise of nationalism, the role of identity in populist mobilisationÌýand the strategies governments use to manage diversity, using examples from Asia, Africa,ÌýEuropeÌýand North America.

Why are some states better at protecting, respecting, and fulfilling their human rights obligations, while others are not? Understanding the conditions under which governments protect human rights is crucial for the field of International Relations and policy makers alike. This module will discuss cutting-edge research within and beyond the human rights field.

You will learn about autocratic state behaviour, safeguards within democratic systems, the campaigns and challenges of NGOs and international organisations, and the wide-ranging effects of globalisation across the different categories and dimensions of human rights. The module will apply theory and empirical insights from these different fields of inquiry in order to understand the relative protection and enjoyment of human rights across different country contexts.

By the end of the module, you will have a clear understanding about human rights research and its effects on the real world.

Understand key theories and debates on social,ÌýpoliticalÌýand economic inequality. This module examines the nature of equality and inequality, exploring which inequalities are permissible and what it means to live in a society of equals.

At the dawn of the 21st century, democracy's status worldwide is uncertain. This module examines why some countries are democratic while others are not, how democracyÌýemergedÌýand its impact on people's lives.ÌýYou'llÌýexplore different models of democratisation and think critically about the challenges of crafting democratic regimes globally.

Understand the power and authority of the modern state. This module examines key theories from historical and contemporary political thought, helping you appreciate the relevance of these theories to modern politics.

Investigate the ethical foundations and moral justifications of capitalism. This module examines the benefits and criticisms of capitalism, exploring issues like poverty,ÌýexploitationÌýand environmental destruction.ÌýYou'llÌýdevelop analytical skills to assess the moral implications of economic orders.