BA (Hons) Medieval and Early Modern History

Program Overview

Led by internationally recognized research staff, the program emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and the exploration of diverse historical contexts. Graduates develop a deep understanding of medieval and early modern history and acquire skills valuable in various careers, including education, journalism, public service, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Medieval and Early Modern History degree is a three-year, full-time program offered at the University of Chichester's Bishop Otter Campus. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of medieval and early modern history, focusing on events and contexts from around the world. This includes exploring the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, Tudor England, and the Napoleonic era. The program emphasizes learning from internationally recognized research staff, who use the latest research findings to underpin their teaching. This ensures that students engage with current historiographical debates. The degree allows students to pursue their own areas of interest within the broad field of medieval and early modern history, whether political, cultural, or social. Students develop critical thinking, team-working, research, and digital skills, essential for post-graduation employment.

Outline:

The BA (Hons) Medieval and Early Modern History degree is structured across three years, with a progressively focused curriculum.

Year One:

• Britain and the Early Medieval World, C.500-1100: This module provides an overview of early medieval Britain's history, examining major political events and social changes from around 500 AD to the aftermath of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
• Game of Thrones: The Hundred Years' War: 1337-1453: This module examines the Hundred Years' War's causes and consequences, exploring the tensions between England and France, military tactics, and the role of chivalry.
• The Tudors: 1485-1603: This module examines the monarchs and events of the sixteenth century, considering political factions, the impact of the Reformation, and the reigns of Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth.
• Torture to Terror: European Order and Repression: 1492-1792: This module delves into the brutality and savagery of the "Age of Reason," focusing on witch hunts, persecution of religious minorities, warfare, and the slave trade.
• Making History: Theory and Practice: This module explores various approaches to historical case studies, including social and cultural history, the history of women, gender, and sexuality, and postcolonial history.

Year Two:

• A Social History of Early Modern England: 1550-1750: This module explores the lives of "ordinary" people in England during this period, including social structures, gender relations, lifecycles, and crime and punishment.
• Culture and Civilisation in Late Medieval England: C.1200-1550: This module examines late-medieval England's culture and civilization, focusing on historiography, myth, and public perception.
• Enlightenment Europe: 1688-1789: This module examines the Enlightenment's ideas, exploring their impact on science, religion, education, politics, and society.
• Fairy Tales: Early Modern to Postmodern: This module analyzes the development of fairy tales from their early modern origins to modern adaptations, considering their cultural and literary significance.
• Kingdom of Heaven: Crusading and the Holy Land: 1095-1291: This module examines the causes and consequences of the Crusades, focusing on the motives of the First Crusaders and the political and economic ramifications for the Holy Land.

Year Three:

• Dissertation: This module represents the culmination of the History program, requiring students to complete an individual research project on a topic of their choice.
• Gothic, Romanticism, and Women’s Writing: From Mary Wollstonecraft to Jane Austen: This module explores the works of women writers during the late 18th century, considering their relationship to the political debates of the period.
• Henry VIII and Court Culture 1509-1547: Faction, Faith, and Fornication: This module examines the structures and cultures of the Tudor royal courts, exploring the court's political influence and the role of factions.
• Kingship, Queenship, and Power in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe: This module explores the nature of social, cultural, and political power during the late medieval and early modern periods, examining royal ritual, law-making, and social exclusion.
• Louis XVI’s France: 1643-1715: This module examines the extent to which an "absolutist" monarchy was established in France during the 17th century, considering the socio-cultural contexts and military tensions of the period.
• The Cultural History of Death: This module explores how literary representations of death provide insight into cultural beliefs and social order across various historical contexts.
• Vice to Virtue?
• The Origins and Outcomes of the French Revolution: 1744-94: This module examines the origins, complexities, and consequences of the French Revolution, considering major historiographical debates.

Assessment:

Assessment methods for the BA (Hons) Medieval and Early Modern History degree include:

• Essays
• Source evaluations and reviews
• Research projects
• Collaborative project work
• Dissertation
Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, providing students with regular feedback on their academic progress.

Teaching:

Teaching is delivered through a variety of methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Group work
• Independent study
The program features smaller class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment. The teaching staff are experts in their fields and at the forefront of modern research within the study of Medieval and Early Modern History.

Careers:

A degree in History equips graduates with skills valuable across a range of careers, including:

• Education: Teaching, postgraduate research, and academic roles.
• Local and national government: Policy analysis, research, and administration.
• Journalism: Investigative journalism, historical commentary, and writing.
• Public service: Archive management, heritage preservation, and museum curation.
• Communications and PR: Content creation, strategic communication, and public engagement.
• Law: Historical research, legal analysis, and advocacy.

Other:

The program offers opportunities for work placements with local museums, galleries, and heritage sites. These placements provide students with valuable workplace experience and a deeper understanding of how historical knowledge is presented to the public. Students can also explore study abroad opportunities, enriching their education and broadening their horizons.