History

Explore the rich complexity of modern and contemporary history from global perspectives, uncovering the forces that have shaped societies across Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Americas.

From colonialism and decolonisation to gender, ethnicity, conflict, and migration, you’ll examine key historical moments that continue to influence today’s world.

Develop critical thinking and communication skills through dynamic teaching and assessments, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as the history of photography, sport, war and conflict, migration, ethnicity, and racism.

Gain transferable skills by learning to research and communicate complex ideas effectively, and apply historical perspectives to contemporary and future issues.

• You can tailor your studies by selecting routes in your first and second year – focusing on your areas of interest.

• Tailor your degree with a specialist route by choosing two subjects to focus on such as Nineteenth-Century Photography and Medicine, Yugoslavia’s Disintegration, the United States Empire and many others to choose from, broadening your expertise and career options.

Course Modules

First year
Block 1: Modern Britain Since 1800
Block 2: Journeys and Places
Block 3: Nationalism and Revolutions in the 19th Century
Block 4: Ideology, War and Society in the 20th century

Second year
Block 1: Global Cold War
Block 2: Exploring Work and Society
Block 3: Migration, Multiculturalism and Racism
Block 4: Investigating the Past: Theory and Method

Third year
Block 1: Special subject
Block 2: Empire and its Aftermath
Block 3: The War at Home: 1939 - 1945
Block 4: Dissertation

Routes: You can select to study a route in Block 3 during your first year. When selecting a module for Block 3 in your second year you can opt to remain on your chosen route or return to History. If you choose to remain with the route, it must be continued in your third year.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/history-ba-degree/history-ba-degree.aspx#what-you-will-study

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview
Our teaching is interactive and enjoyable, encouraging you to develop your own thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints. You will build essential skills for both historical study and the modern workplace.

Our modules are designed to enhance your skills as a historian—from analysis and research to reasoning and evaluation—while developing attributes that improve your employability across various careers.

Taught by nationally and internationally renowned experts, you'll benefit from varied assessments, including group work, presentations, portfolios, podcasts, essays, exams, and a dissertation. These assessments are designed to build on each other, helping you strengthen your creativity, project management, teamwork, communication, and technical skills.

You will also benefit from access to DMU’s historical collections, including the Stephen Lawrence Papers, the Ski Club of GB archive, and the Kodak collection at the Kimberlin Library.

Contact hours
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, group work, and self-directed study. You will normally attend around 9 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 28 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.