History and Politics

Discover how the events of the past shape the world we live in today. Investigate the political forces which will determine our future.

Studying History and Politics together will give you a deep understanding of the institutions, processes and events that shape our lives. Contemporary states, politics and ideas cannot be fully understood without analysing their historical background. This degree emphasises the relevance of history to modern life, as you combine historical investigation with the discussion of debates and issues in current politics.

By looking back at how society and political institutes were shaped throughout history, you can better understand the forces shaping them today. Throughout this course you will investigate the relationship between the past, the future and the present.

In your History modules you will focus on significant social and political developments over the 19th and 20th centuries from across the world. These may include periods of British, American, European and Russian history. You will investigate historical processes such as revolution, conflict and international organisation.

Throughout the Politics section of this course you will learn about the institutions and processes behind modern states. This will include a focus on the domestic government and politics of the UK, but you will also have the opportunity to explore politics from a global perspective. We will investigate crucial debates about how states interact with each other, the changing role of the state, and how states should respond to collective dilemmas such as climate change.

The course includes a wide range of optional modules, and you could find yourself studying anything from Edwardian Britain to the Arab Spring. Combining the study of History and Politics will allow you to gain an in depth understanding of events, institutions and policies and their impact on people and society over time.

We do everything we can to help you graduate into a great career, and you will study a specialist Work Related Learning module in your second year. Our connections include York Museums Trust, York Explore and Yorkshire Film Archive.