HISTORY
HISTORY Are you curious about the past and how our world has developed? If you want to know how ideas spread, how states rise and fall and how ordinary people have influenced those with power, then our history degree offers you an exceptional student experience. This is a vibrant and exciting programme based on our outstanding research and innovative teaching. The History team at York St John University has a wide range of specialisms across American, British, European, and global histories, ranging from Ancient Rome and the Wars of the Roses to the rise of China and collapse of the Soviet Union in the era of the Cold War. A degree at York St John University is a lifelong investment and we believe in supporting students to develop vital professional skills throughout their time with us. One highlight of this is our extremely successful second year employability module, History, Community and Culture, which connects students with an impressive range of local heritage sites, archive and business partners, including York Army Museum, York Explore and the National Railway Museum. As a history graduate, you will have gained skills highly valued by employers, such as analytical and critical reasoning, oral and written communication and research skills. A history degree is a good launch pad for a wide range of careers, including law, the public sector, business management, finance and the heritage or tourism industries. Many of our graduates also pursue postgraduate qualifications in order to become researchers, curators, archaeologists, or archivists. York is a wonderful place to call home while studying with us. And as one of the country’s most historic cities, York has played a central role in our nation’s past and the creation of modern society. We look forward to working with you as you embark upon this new and exciting chapter of your academic life. Dr James Cooper Subject Director: History, American Studies and War Studies
The Department is a close and supportive community. The lecturers are all approachable, understanding, and do everything they can to offer advice and encouragement to their students. I love living in York because you’re surrounded by history at every turn, from Roman to Medieval to modern. I had the chance to be part of the Students as Researchers scheme, working on the ‘How York learned to stop worrying and love the bomb’ project, which looked at the Civil Defence Corps at a local level in York during the Cold War, researching the primary material in York Explore archives. It was a great opportunity to learn more, enhance my CV, and earn extra money all at the same time. It helped me to develop skills in primary research, academic writing, and time management. It has been an amazing experience. Penny Hodgson History BA (Hons)
100%
of History and American Studies students were satisfied with the quality of the course. (National Student Survey 2019)
OUR MODULES INCLUDE Year 1
Year 3
— Researching and Presenting the Past
— Dissertation (40 credits)
— York: A Global City
— Special Subject in Ancient History: Fall of the Roman Republic
— War and Society — The Visible Past — People and Nature — Empires — European Revolutions — A Century in Crisis — America : An Empire of Liberty?
Year 2 — History, Community and Culture — Making History — The Roman Empire: Tiberius to Domitian (14-96) — Pageantry, Power and Patriotism: Late Medieval England, 1300-1450 — Watchers and the Watched: Society in Early Modern England. C.1540 – 1670 — Tudor Women — A United Kingdom? Britain 17071837 — Victorian Grubs: Food, Science and Society — The Republic in Danger — Mao’s China — Reds! The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism
— Special Subject in Late Medieval England: The Wars of the Roses — Special Subject in Early Modern British History: The English Revolution — Special Subject in Early Modern Social and Cultural History: Exile, Movement and Identity in the Early Modern World — Special Subject in European History, 1750-1850: Britain against Napoleon — Special Subject in Social and Cultural History, 1750-1900: Prisons and Prisoners — Special Subject in the History of the Cold War: The Korean War — Special Subject in the History of the Soviet Union: The Russian Revolution — Special Subject in Modern International History: The Vietnam War — Special Subject in the History of the American Presidency: Reagan and his America — Special Subject in American Studies: American Crime Story — Special Subject in War Studies: International Origins of the Second World War
All modules 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
JOINT HONOURS Students often find that their interests overlap more than one of the academic disciplines on offer. Because we recognise that your interests may be broader than a single subject area, there is the option to study different combinations of these courses as a Joint Honours Degree. We currently offer joint honours in: — History & American Studies BA (Hons) — History & War Studies BA (Hons) — English Literature & History BA (Hons)
We also offer: — BA (hons) History with Human Geography — BA (hons) History with Politics
On these courses around 75% of your time will be spent studying Human Geography or Politics and 25% on History.
OUR RESEARCH The History team are experts in their specialist fields and regularly publish with British and International journals and publishers. Teaching on the History programme is research-led, which means that our students are always at the cutting edge of our investigations.
Pictures and diagrams of a castle can never do them justice, which is why visiting these sites as part of the module is so important. Sarah Charlton History BA (Hons)
YORK: WHERE HISTORY HAPPENS York has been the focus of royal power, rebellions and revolution as Britain developed into an industrial power and ultimately part of a globalised world. Studying in York means being able to make the most of our fantastic links with leading museums, libraries and historical sites in the city throughout your degree. Our students have the opportunity to make use of the city as a beautiful backdrop and a rich resource for the study of History. There is the option to study modules throughout these courses which focus on York’s religious, royal, military and industrial pasts. We make use of a range of original visual, material and textual sources to allow our students to connect with York’s impressive heritage.
PLACEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY The History, American Studies and War Studies programmes work with a number of organisations in York, all offering fantastic opportunities to work on special city-focused projects. Our connections include York Museums Trust and Yorkshire Film Archive, where students have explored the treasures of the archives to create exhibitions about York’s Roman past, or produce online resources that depict the filmed history of the City. With the Fallen Heroes of Normandy placement, students have worked on the world’s largest collection of online memorial pages commemorating the soldiers who never returned from the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings. At York Explore, students researched the many exciting stories that make up York’s long history, from its forgotten past as a major port, to telling the stories of some of the lesser-known women in York’s history.
A CLASSROOM IN THE ARCHIVES We work with an organisation in York who offer fantastic opportunities to work on special city-focused projects. Our connections include York Museums Trust and Yorkshire Film Archive, where students have explored the treasures of the archives to create exhibitions about York’s Roman past or produce online resources that depict the filmed history of the City. Students on the Year 2 module Faces of Battle have the chance to visit various sites to explore the ‘sharp end’ of conflicts which have left their mark on North Yorkshire, from the Wars of the Roses to the World Wars.
STUDY ABROAD As part of your History degree you have the option to spend a semester abroad at one of our partner institutions in the United States or Europe. This life-changing experience can improve academic performance and increase employability, provide positive career opportunities, develop greater self understanding and confidence, and provide a better understanding of personal and cultural values and biases. The Study Abroad programme at York St John University is an enriching opportunity for you to experience life in another country. While you study abroad you will earning academic credits which count towards your final York St John University degree. There are no extra tuition fees for taking this amazing opportunity! The UK government and the university
are committed to promoting Study Abroad. You will receive a generous fee reduction on your annual York St John University fees and will not have to pay tuition fees to your host institution. York St John offers academic links with some excellent campuses, and we are always looking to broaden our list of institutional partners. We currently have study abroad options with: — Keene State College in New Hampshire — Juniata College in Pennsylvania — Pacific University in Oregon — Vrije University of Amsterdam, Netherlands — University of Copenhagen, Denmark
For more information, please see our study abroad pages: www.yorksj.ac.uk/studyabroad
At York St John University we’ve been changing lives through education since 1841. We have a long history of championing social justice and expanding opportunities. Our research and our teaching reflect this.
97% of York St John University graduates were in work or further study six months after graduation (DLHE 2017).
People from almost
60
different countries study at York St John University. When you graduate you will become part of a global community who are proud to be part of the YSJ Family.
/YorkStJohnUniversity @YorkStJohn @YorkStJohn ADMISSIONS INFORMATION E: admissions@yorksj.ac.uk T: 01904 876598 www.yorksj.ac.uk
OVER 200 COURSES
to choose from Whatever you want to do, we’re here to help.
York is the safest city in the region for students The Complete University Guide (2017).
PLACEMENT YEARS Almost all of our Undergraduate courses can now be studied with a placement year in industry, giving you more real-world experience to boost your career.
STUDY ABROAD Most of our courses include the option to study abroad for a year or a semester without adding extra time to your degree. We have links with partner institutions all around the world.