History with Mandarin

The History course is diverse, international in focus, and innovative. Primarily exploring modern and contemporary history, it equips you with the skills needed for effective research and analysis, honing the ability to absorb, communicate, and critically analyse complex information.

Reflecting the globalised world we live in, the curriculum covers British, South Asian, European, African, and North and South American histories. Key topics include colonialism, decolonisation, immigration, ethnic minorities, gender, photographic history, and the history of sport and leisure.

As the course progresses, you will be challenged with more in-depth explorations and given opportunities to deepen their historical interests. The programme is taught by a passionate team of leading experts in a dynamic learning environment that includes a variety of teaching and assessment methods.

Alongside the History curriculum, you will study Mandarin at either beginner or post-beginner level. This component develops linguistic skills while also providing an understanding of social, cultural, political, historical, and artistic contexts.

Key features

• Specialise in distinctive areas such as photographic history, the history of sport and leisure, war and conflict, migration, ethnicity, and racism.

• Develop a wide range of transferable skills, learning how to research and communicate complex information effectively. Graduates apply these skills to successful careers in fields such as teaching, law, marketing, and the heritage and museum sector.

• Gain a competitive edge with recognised competence in Mandarin. Study Mandarin at a level and pace suited to your needs, while expanding your understanding of the country, its society, culture, and people.

• Enjoy enhanced career opportunities with the combined study of history and Mandarin, providing access to a broader range of employment positions post-graduation.

• Receive expert teaching from a team of renowned academics, complemented by lectures from visiting guest speakers.

• Take advantage of organised visits to archives and museums such as the National Archives in London, as well as access to DMU’s historical collections, including the Stephen Lawrence Papers, the Ski Club of GB archive, and the Kodak collection held at Kimberlin Library.

• Apply your skills in real-world contexts through placements. Previous students have gained professional experience at a regional newspaper, Leicester’s award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre, and by teaching at a school in Spain.

• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

First year
Block 1: Modern Britain Since 1800
Block 2: Empire, nation and revolution in the 19th century
Block 3: French, Mandarin or Spanish Beginner or French, Mandarin or Spanish Post-Beginner
Block 4: Ideology, War and Society in the 20th century

Second year
Block 1: Global Cold War
Block 2: Multicultural Societies in History
Block 3: French, Mandarin or Spanish Post-Beginner or French, Mandarin or Spanish Intermediate
Block 4: Investigating the Past

Third year
Block 1: Culture, Society and Conflict
Block 2: Independence Movements
Block 3: French, Mandarin or Spanish Intermediate or French, Mandarin or Spanish Advanced
Year long: Dissertation

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
Teaching is interactive and engaging, encouraging the development of independent thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints. You will build the skills necessary to excel in both historical study and the modern workplace.

Modules are designed to improve skills as effective historians, covering areas such as analysis, research, reasoning, and evaluation, with a focus on developing aptitudes that enhance employability across a wide range of careers.

Taught by experts renowned nationally and internationally for the quality of their teaching and research, you will receive a high-quality academic experience.

A varied mix of assessments includes pair and group work, primary source analysis, presentations, portfolios, podcasts or videos, essay writing, exams, and individual project work, culminating in a dissertation. Assessments build progressively, with opportunities for feedback throughout the course. This range of assessment methods allows you to build on your individual strengths while developing key skills in creativity, project management, teamwork, verbal communication, writing for diverse audiences, and using different technologies.

Mandarin language classes are offered throughout the year, with this continuous approach being recognised as the most effective way to learn a language. Mandarin language modules assess competence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as knowledge of the cultural, social, and historical context.

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.