History (Undergraduate)

HISTORY

MAKE YOUR MARK IN

HISTORY History at Staffordshire University isn’t simply a fascinating and varied area of study; it can also lead to a vast array of different careers. This is because the attributes that our students develop during their studies show that they are highly skilled, self-motivated and independent thinkers.

It’s also worth noting that there has never been a better time to study Modern History or Modern and International History with us! Our exciting new courses, dedicated lecturers, work placement opportunities and residential field trips mean that our students develop and learn every day during their studies.

From our year-long core modules, to option modules taught over both one and two terms, you will be able to tailor your study experience in a wide variety of ways... all to help you grow in confidence and knowledge. You’ll have access to the state-of-the-art IT facilities as well as the extensive collection of history texts and resources in our newly refurbished Thompson Library.

Martin Brown Course Leader

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Most important of all, you’ll be supported by our highly experienced lecturers. Friendly, approachable and committed to helping you succeed, they specialise in areas as diverse as political, social, cultural and international history.

We also have small class sizes. This means we’ll get to know you exceptionally well – and you’ll get to know us. There’s simply no chance of you becoming lost in a crowd. History at Staffordshire is a place where your lecturers are there to help you!

If, after looking through this guide, you’d like to find out even more about studying History with us, please visit www.staffs.ac.uk/jhss

FROM MY INITIAL OPEN DAY VISITS, I KNEW STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY WAS THE ONE FOR ME. EVERYONE WAS SO FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING, WHICH I FEEL IS A KEY FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY. I FELT COMPLETELY AT HOME AND CONTRIBUTED ACTIVELY AS A MATURE STUDENT. THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY WELL ORGANISED AND THE LECTURERS ARE ALWAYS THERE TO OFFER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. THE QUALITY OF THE MODULES AND TEACHING EXPERTISE IS EXCELLENT. STUDYING HISTORY AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. Jayne Millward BA (Hons) Modern History

CONTENTS:

BA (Hons) HISTORY, MODERN UCAS code: V141

BA (Hons) HISTORY, MODERN AND INTERNATIONAL UCAS code: VV13

BA (Hons) HISTORY, MODERN

Take a look at this course if you want a mix of political, social and cultural modern history from 1750 to the present. Includes British, Irish, European and South Asian History.

BA (Hons) HISTORY, MODERN AND INTERNATIONAL

This course could be for you if you want a mix of modern history and an international relations perspective on world politics. Includes nation-states, international organisations, war and peace.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs?

Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process

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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

KEY FACTS WORK-READY WORLD-READY

Study with us and we’ll equip you to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with the knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers look for.

JOIN OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY

With small classes, run by expert lecturers who are passionate about their subject, we offer a truly enthralling learning environment.

You’ll benefit from their cutting-edge knowledge, and acquire the key research skills of the historian.

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STUDY IN THE FIELD

Wherever possible, we aim to bring learning to life, through trips to museums, record offices and more. For example our second year students went on a study visit to Dublin that linked to our Irish history modules.

LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

You’ll find experts in British, German, Italian and Irish national histories among our teaching team. Actively involved in research, they publish across areas as wide-ranging as politics, philosophy, Nazi Germany, conflict resolution and counterinsurgency.

DEDICATED TEACHERS

We are a team of very experienced teachers using a wide range of teaching methods to engage students in discussion and lively debate. 95% of our assessment is by coursework, with essays and other report briefs. Key course materials are placed online for ready access.

RESEARCH-LED MODULES

Our research-led approach allows you to really get under the skin of the subject and involves cuttingedge study of current and historical debate. Recently expanded modules include the Holocaust and the history of intelligence agencies.

HIGH QUALITY WORK PLACEMENTS

We want to open your eyes to the exciting career opportunities that your History degree can lead to.

That’s why we can help you secure high quality work placements with schools, museums, archives and the heritage industry.

BE A MASTER OF MODERN HISTORY

£12 MILLION INVESTMENT

Stoke campus has just benefited from a considerable investment programme. Part of that investment involved upgrading the Thompson Library, where you’ll find an extensive collection of regularly updated research texts, as well as a wide range of online research journals and ebooks that are accessible both on and off campus.

100% SUPPORT

We’re with you all the way, providing just the right amount of support – as and when you need it. Whether it’s personal, financial or study-related support, careers advice or help finding employment while you’re a student or when you graduate, we’ll be there for you.

While many of our graduates go straight into their chosen career area, others decide to specialise further by completing a Masters award.

We currently offer MA International History and MA International Relations by distance learning.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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WHY STAFFS? Rest assured, regardless of whether you study History, Modern or History, Modern and International with us, we’ll take your development extremely seriously. The core modules, across your three years of study have been carefully designed to hone and enhance the skills that you have already developed in reasoning, research and essay writing.

A CUTTING-EDGE APPROACH In your first year, the Modern World History and World Politics modules explore the complexities of the world’s historical changes. In the second year, an entire module is dedicated to advanced historical skills and dissertation planning, to establish a clear task for your final year dissertation. Believing that independent research builds confidence, we will ensure that the emphasis of your work in your final year lies in you taking control of your own research, both in your

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supervised dissertation and through specialist optional modules in which you will tackle current and pressing historical issues.

A WIDE-RANGING CURRICULUM Our coverage of the modern period ranges from about 1750 to the present day and includes a number of approaches, areas and themes. Our approaches include political, social and cultural history, and some economic history. Politics and international relations are applied with a historical perspective.

The areas covered include: British, Irish, European and world history, especially American history; the Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan. Themes include: the world wars; Fascist Italy; Nazi Germany and the Holocaust; revolutions; military and intelligence studies; international organisations, war and diplomacy; memory and commemoration; heritage and applied history.

EXTENSIVE LEARNING RESOURCES Our learning facilities are considerable and will provide all the materials you’ll need to excel in both History, Modern or History, Modern and International. The Thompson Library also offers outstanding computer facilities, all so you can get the very most from both our book and journal collections. We subscribe to a huge selection of ebooks, journals, reference collections and other databases too.

CHOOSE HOW YOU STUDY We offer a choice of options to help you study for your History degree.

Both courses can be completed full-time over three years or part-time over as long as 8 years.

PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES To give you a really good insight into the world of work, we offer the opportunity of taking a work placement in years two and three. Previous students have gone on to placements with organisations including local museums and heritage centres, the local and county archive services, the University press office, as well as with primary and secondary schools. Completing a placement will help you to decide which career you want to pursue, by equipping you with both knowledge and experience of your chosen field.

INSPIRED TEACHING To give you the best possible education, we’ll use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, off-campus visits and, of course, work placements. There’ll also be a broad choice of option modules to help you tailor your degree to your aspirations and interests. Newly introduced option modules include: Britain and the end of Empire, Ireland Since the Act of Union: 1800 to Present, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

STUDENT SUPPORT We’ll be on hand to support you throughout your degree. You’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor who will be your first point of contact for help and advice. Our student mentors will be there to help out when you first join us. Additionally, each of our courses has a dedicated staff-student committee to ensure all students have a full voice regarding their day-to-day experience during their studies.

CAREER CHOICES Staffordshire University History graduates are highly sought after by employers across a wide variety of sectors. This is because they have strong core skills in research, analysis, logic and communication. Our graduates often go into History related careers such as teaching. Many find that the transferable skills they’ve gained during their studies open up further opportunities in management, in local and national government, in schools at all levels, as well as in journalism, media or law. While others look to build successful careers with international companies and organisations.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE

Studying History at Staffordshire University was an excellent experience.

As a dyslexic student initially I was concerned I might struggle with the course, however the way it was delivered and the support that I received was exceptional and I had nothing to worry about. What really excited me was that I was helped to explore the aspects of history I found fascinating. I developed further my interest in individuals and their role in political changes, and for my dissertation I studied Robespierre and the Terror in the French Revolution.

Ben Granville BA (Hons) Modern History

My research is on the contemporary security history of Britain and Ireland, and also Britain’s ‘end of empire’.

My teaching draws directly on my research in a number of modules including ‘Ireland since the Act of Union: 1800-Present’, ‘Britain and the End of Empire’, and ‘Governments, Intelligence Agencies and the Twentieth Century World’.

I also teach the second year ‘Advanced Historical Practice: The First World War’ that prepares students for their final year and the Dissertation. I have arranged a number of guest academic speakers for students, and taken students on study trips to Ireland, Liverpool and London.

Dr. Tony Craig Associate Professor in Modern British History

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Undertaking a History degree at Staffordshire University was a delight from start to finish due to the diverse range of knowledge and enthusiasm that the tutors had. The dissertation preparation plan module opened my eyes to the use and value of new online journals and primary sources for my study of Victorian London. In addition to their collection of primary sources, the University library’s subscriptions offer a near-inexhaustible supply of information for both the modules and the dissertation.

This supply is one that I continue to exploit as an MPhil/ PhD student at Staffordshire University.

Chris Halsall BA (Hons) Modern History

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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A BETTER CAMPUS

AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.

In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students.

But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is.

This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be

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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built.

What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus.

The best of both worlds.

So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus.

We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms.

Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University.

As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.

This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date.

So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.

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CHOOSE

MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.

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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.

MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse

MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games

At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away.

Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too.

So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.

A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.

University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around.

That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out.

Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you.

We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop.

You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk.

Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.

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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here.

Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.

LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT

www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS

APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?

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ENROLMENT WELCOME TO STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

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CLEARING

The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.

MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?

Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July.

Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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