Modern History and English Literature - Two-year Accelerated Degree

This degree involves the study of historical themes and concepts in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; combined with critical theory and a range of interesting texts within English literature.

Our two-year fast-track degrees are awarded by the University of Surrey. They have been created so that you can:

• Start your career or masters course a year sooner

• Save money by paying for just two years’ tuition fees

• Save money on the costs associated with being a student

• Based at Farnborough College of Technology, we offer classroom-based lectures, a small campus experience and plenty of personalised support. This makes us a popular choice locally for those who want to study higher education in a down-to-earth setting – where you won’t get lost in the crowd.

Modules chosen at Level 5 and Level 6 will define the particular degree title awarded, of either BA (Hons) Modern History with English Literature or BA (Hons) English Literature with Modern History.

What will I study?

English Literature
English literature is naturally an ideal subject for those with a passion for books, reading, and the spoken word. We encounter literature every day - in books, magazines, poetry, advertising, plays, song lyrics, and TV boxsets. The ability to analyse these texts and their subtle meanings is a skill that could lead to a range of interesting careers.

At Farnborough, you will read a range of stimulating and diverse texts. This ranges from the Renaissance period to the modern day while learning about historical contexts, gender and literature, poetic language and more along the way.

A degree in English will hone your own communication skills and encourage creative writing – skills that can help set you apart from other graduates when starting your new career.

Modern History
Looking to the past is essential in beginning to understand the way of the modern world. Recent history has seen devastating world wars, new technologies and shifts in world powers. By studying modern history with us, you will start to uncover a number of interesting topics and events that continue to shape the world we live in.

Our modern history degree covers topics as diverse as the Victorians, sexualities and politics. Along the way, you will also discover how to understand and research the past in great depth.

Level 4 (Year 1: September – April)
The aim of the Level 4 programme is to give you a thorough grounding in both modern history and English literature. Typical topics studied include:

• Understanding the Past
• Gender and Sexuality in 20th Century Britain
• Russia from Tsarism to Bolshevism
• Academic Skills
• The Novel Genre: Narrative, Culture, and Historical Context
• Poetic Language
• Introduction to Critical Theory
• Global Issues

You will also benefit from a course in academic skills for degree students.

Level 5 (April in Year 1 – December in Year 2)
Level 5 of the programme offers you the opportunity to develop your skills in more depth in a range of topics. Options are chosen from the following:

• Researching the Past
• Public History
• Industrialization and Reform in the 19th Century
• Fascism in the 20th Century
• Victorian Literature
• The Romantics
• The Modern World: the long 18th century
• Introduction to the Renaissance

Level 6 (January in Year 2 to July in Year 2)
In the final Level of study, you have the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area. For example:

• Using the Past
• Victorian Social and Political Thought
• Radical Histories from below
• Dissertation (History)
• 20th Century Literature Studies: 1880 - 1945
• Gender and literature
• 20th Century Literature Studies: Post-War Literature

In addition to taught modules, a dissertation will allow you to conduct research and investigate a topic in greater depth.

A range of assessment strategies will be used which include essays, examinations, presentations, posters, blogs, and independent research.

How will I be taught?

The style of teaching and learning used in this programme has been carefully designed to suit the subject matter. We recognise that students learn in various ways, so we use a range of different teaching methods and situations to best deliver the learning outcomes for each module. The range of teaching and learning methods used in this programme includes:

• Lecture-Based Presentations
• Individual and Group Project Work
• Individual Presentations
• Group and Individual Tutorials
• Case Studies
• Classroom Activities
• Promoting Interaction at Peer and Tutor Level