Why study History?

It is not without good reason that dictators in the past have chosen to censor history and re-write it to their own ends. History fixes our position within society and the world. It is a major part of our heritage and helps to define what were are, what we have been, and provides clues to what we may become. One thing is certain about History; it constantly changes through events, attitudes and interpretations and that is part of its fascination to both professional and amateur historians and the general public alike. Our interest in history begins as children and lasts throughout our lives: the popularity of historical series – both factual and dramatic - on television, and historical epics at the cinema is testimony to that. However, History is more than just entertainment. It is an academic discipline but one which can be entered by anyone with an enquiring mind. And, of course, we all begin to do this at an early age.

 Blair and Bush: The war on terror                       The Yalta Conference, Feb 1945

History is a central part of the National Curriculum and is popular at both GCSE and 'A' level and regional local history classes are well attended by the public. If, therefore, you have an interest in the past you will find much to enjoy on Bolton's history course. It will  both enhance  and challenge your understanding of modern history and, moreover, the academic study of History develops skills much sought after by employers. Graduates have highly developed research techniques, are competent in preparing and writing documents, have a broad experience of delivering presentations and meeting deadlines.

What's special about the History programme at Bolton?

The Bolton University History course concentrates upon the core events of the past two hundred years with the main emphasis on the Twentieth Century. It focuses on three main strands of British, European and American History, and their inter-linkages, from the late Nineteenth Century to the present day. Within the three year programme of sixteen taught modules you will examine Britain's decline from her position as the world power in mid-nineteenth century power to a member, along with other states, of the European Union today. Emphasis within this course is placed upon Britain's role in two world wars, the inter- and post-war war periods and the social, political and cultural changes which have occurred throughout. In the European strand we focus upon several key themes. The first is the so-called 'German Question' which dominated Europe from the late -Nineteenth  to mid-Twentieth Century's. Thereafter, the key themes are European Integration, the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet bloc. The American strand asks whether then Twentieth Century was 'the American century' and how and why this came about. You will also have opportunities, if you wish, to develop  your own in-depth special interests through Open Studies which are independent study programmes devised jointly between individual students and staff.  Finally, History can be taken as a Single or Joint honours with, amongst others, English, Law, Education and Film Studies. Indeed, we recognise that 'film' is a vital – and, perhaps, under-developed -  historical source  and consequently two modules on film and history are delivered co-jointly with the Film and Media Studies department and are popular with their students also.

 
 Hitler at Nuremburg                                              Home at last: Demobilisation 1945

The Programme, Year by Year

What do you study? How are the years organized? What is a module? 

Y ear 1: Getting Started

During your first year, you study the mid- and late nineteenth century and follow courses that you give you an overview of twentieth century history. You learn basic historical skills. You also learn how historians think, pose questions, do research and write books and articles. You learn about the raw materials of history and how evidence is selected and converted into interpretation. You learn how and why historians so frequently disagree with one another. You learn about the politics of history and about the connections between how historians think and make judgements and the values that they hold.
You also learn how to find and use material on the internet. You write essays and give short seminar papers. During this first year, and in years two and three, you get a lot of help from your tutors and from your personal tutor. We try to make sure you have the same personal tutor in each of your three years.
 
________________________________________

Year 2: Methods and Debates

In your second year, you begin to look in detail at twentieth century America, Europe and Britain. Your modules become more specialized. Survey lectures are still important but now you look at shorter periods of time, in greater depth. You learn more about historical method and the 'varieties of history'. You learn about the different concerns of political, social, economic and cultural historians. You are also introduced to the idea of multidisciplinary history. This term is used to describe the way in which historians draw on methods and ideas from other disciplines to get a better understanding of the past.
You learn more in detail about historical debates: the origins of the First World War, the reasons for the emergence of the 'German Question' in the twentieth century and the changing role of the presidency in the USA. In year one, you spent a lot of time learning about what happened. In year two, you look in greater detail at why things happened in the way they did. You write longer essays and give longer seminar papers. As the tempo increases, you continue to be helped by your tutors to meet new challenges. 

  Britain 1930's: 2 Britains                                      Assassination attempt on Franz Ferdinand
                                                                            Sarajevo 1914
________________________________________

Year 3: Becoming an Independent Learner

During the summer of your second year, you begin work on your dissertation. The dissertation lies at the heart of your third year work. It is a long essay – up to ten thousand words, excluding footnotes and a bibliography – and it carries twice as many marks as other modules. In year two, you get help in choosing a topic for your dissertation and there is a seminar in which you can try out and develop ideas, compare notes with other students and read draft chapters. Meanwhile, in your other modules, you study twentieth century American, European and British history in greater depth and detail.
In year one, you spent a lot of time working out what happened and getting a general overview of your period through survey lectures. In year two, this continued but you also learnt more about method, historical debates and the 'varieties of history'. In year three, you concentrate on shorter periods of time and more complex historical controversies. You also begin to make judgements of your own within the context of what historians have written about controversial topics. You give more time to specialized themes in American, European and British history, rather than doing survey courses on all three areas of study. In your third year you take the plunge. You become an independent learner. But you won't be alone. You will get advice from your supervisor and from your personal tutor when you come up against major problems.
________________________________________

Fixing the Frame

During your three years on the programme you also take courses that frame your work on American, European and British history. They focus on sources and source problems and the analysis of film and images as a way of finding out about modern and contemporary history. They also concentrate on the history of ideas, urban history and war, peace and technology in the bloodiest century the world has ever seen. These modules give you valuable background material and make connections between what you are learning about America, Europe and Britain. Framing modules feed in ideas that help you get a clearer understanding of other courses. They give you an overview of the ideas and concepts that interdisciplinary historians use when they explore the past. These modules make it easier for you to make comparisons between cultures.