History

This innovative course explores modern and contemporary history with a global focus, examining both European and non-European perspectives. You'll study a range of important topics such as colonialism, immigration, decolonisation, gender, ethnicity, and conflict, reflecting the globalised world we live in.

You will enhance your ability to critically analyse and communicate complex historical information. Supported by a passionate expert teaching team who are leaders in their field, you’ll engage in more in-depth explorations and deepen your historical interests.

Through a variety of teaching and assessment methods, you will explore British, South Asian, European, African, and American histories, while delving into specialist areas like the history of photography and sport.

Key features

• Develop a wide range of transferable skills by learning how to research and communicate complex information effectively and apply a historically informed perspective to contemporary and future issues.

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

• Boost your career prospects through placement and internship opportunities. Our students have gained valuable skills at a large regional newspaper, the award-winning King Richard III visitor centre in Leicester, as well as teaching in Spain.

• Explore modern and contemporary history from British, European, South Asian, African, and North American perspectives.

• Learn beyond classroom boundaries through organised visits to archives and museums such as National Archives in London.

• You can select an optional route through this degree in English Literature. This route will complement and enrich your understanding of your main subject, alongside broadening your skillset to give you a wider range of career paths available upon graduation.

• 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: 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.

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.