BA (Hons) History Bachelor's degree at York St John University

On this module you will develop the key skills needed to be a successful historian. Focusing on analytical interpretation rather than historical narrative, this module will prepare you for independent study at degree level. You will explore how historians: Examine primary sources Write and engage with secondary sources Construct arguments and apply theories Work with established historical concepts Question conventions and established time periods in history

This module is your introduction to the history of York, from medieval to the Regency period. Through it you will explore the city, making use of its resources, and thinking critically about how we can assess changes through time. Taking York as a case study, we will discuss social and cultural development within the city. You will also consider the dialogue between York's evolution and changes in national and global history. We will take a thematic approach, focusing on ongoing developments suc

On this module you will focus on how war impacts society. Examining different types of war from different periods will build your skills in comparative analysis. You will also engage with contemporary historical debates about the relationship between war and society. We will examine case studies to discuss themes such as: The causes of war Who wins wars and why The effect of war on technological and historical development The role of citizens The importance of the state.

On this module we will introduce you to the study of historical buildings, and their role in history. You will explore how history is expressed in the built environment and how it lives on around us. Using the buildings, spaces and resources in and around York, you will immerse yourself in this important aspect of history. We will encourage you to challenge existing narratives and assumptions, as you consider the relationship between sites, history and heritage.

On this module you will explore how human societies and the natural world have interacted and reshaped each other through time. This involves simultaneously taking environmental, social and cultural approaches to history. You will discover how nature has influenced society and people's understanding of their place in the world, and evaluate the impact that social developments have on environmental issues. Through this you will learn about important concepts in social history, considering contemp

This module will give you a broad understanding of the history of the USA, from both a domestic and an international point of view. You will learn about America's gradual emergence as a leading international power, economically, militarily and politically. We will explore historical developments in the American experience, including political, social and economic changes. You will consider the continuing tension between unity and diversity in American history, exploring topics such as the Civil

The 20th Century was defined by conflict, but it also saw the spread of democracy and the construction of international organisations dedicated to the preservation of peace. On this module you will explore these contradictions as you study international history from 1900 to the present day, focusing on case studies of major crises. You will analyse these with reference to some of the main themes in recent international history, including: Imperialism Decolonisation International law Democracy an

This module builds on the Year 1 module Research and Presenting the Past, allowing you to develop your research skills even further. You will conduct project work in groups and engage in independent research that will prepare you for the dissertation module in your final year. We will discuss the importance of primary sources for understanding an event, period or theme. This may include opportunities to work with local archives. We will also look in detail at various schools of historical theory

This module positions History students as emerging professionals, emphasising graduate qualities, transferable skills, and reflective awareness of professional identity. Through a placement, group project, or individual project, alongside career-oriented workshops, students identify, practise, and articulate the skills developed through historical study and their relevance to graduate employment. The module connects academic learning to employability across varied professions while highlighting

Despite the horrors of the Black Death, devastation of famine, and ravages of the Hundred Years War, 14th century England was also sparkled with artistic and literary achievement. On this module you will explore the ideals and ideas existing alongside the trauma of conflict to understand the complexities of the period. You will assess developments in political culture to better understand the challenges and achievements of the period.

This module brings an accessible introduction to gendered and cultural sixteenth-century history into the curriculum. Women of the Tudor era offer a fascinating case study of power, autonomy and image in terms of gender and cultural history, elucidating new perspectives both on the period and on the lived experiences and mentalities of women from across society.

This module examines the history of the Soviet Union from the October Revolution in 1917 to the end of the Stalin era in 1953. It explores the radical transformation of the world's first communist state and the emergence of an oppressive dictatorship with major international consequences. You will analyse the Soviet experiment through political, economic, social, military, and cultural perspectives, while engaging with key historiographical debates and developing primary source and critical anal

This module provides an introduction to the social and cultural lives of ordinary French people during a time marked by profound change, including revolutions, colonialism, and the rise of consumer culture. Through the analysis of a range of historical documents in translation, you will investigate personal and collective experiences that have shaped nineteenth-century society and continue to influence Francophone communities today.

On this module you will focus on the experience of African Americans both as enslaved people, and slavery and in the years following the abolition of slavery. You will learn about the origins, development and abolition of slavery in the USA, assessing the impact and nature of the American slave system. We will frame these discussions through the contemporary responses of both African Americans and white Americans concerning slavery, relationships between races after slavery ended, and the emerge

This module will examine the contemporary history of the United States. It confronts and evaluate the historical debates surrounding major issues and sources of division in the United States since 9/11, and will examine the social and political forces which have shaped subsequent historical and popular cultural portrayals of key historical events and issues.

This module examines conflict in Europe between c.1660 and 1815, from the Restoration and the rise of Louis XIV to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. You will explore war through political, diplomatic, social, military, and cultural perspectives, considering the experiences of rulers, soldiers, civilians, and victims of violence. While focused primarily on conflicts between European powers, the module also addresses the global and imperial dimensions of warfare in the early modern world.

This module introduces the Anglo-Saxon period (c.450–1066), exploring the emergence of the 'English' and debates over the origins of the English state. Focusing on Alfred the Great (871–899), you will examine key primary sources and interpretations of political culture and historical writing, culminating in a critique of how Anglo-Saxon England is presented to modern audiences.

The 1960s were a turbulent time for the USA. President Lyndon Johnson was embarking on a series of reforms aiming to create "the Great Society" at the same time as the seemingly endless war in Vietnam. It was also a time of great achievements, with America leading the first moon landings. Topics you will cover on this module include: The image and domestic policies of the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon presidencies Radicalism and dissent, including counterculture, urban riots and student protests Th

This module will examine the traumatic modern history of China and will confront and evaluate the historiographical debates surrounding China's revolutionary transition from the world's oldest imperial power to a Communist state. It will consider the political, ideological, economic, military, social and cultural forces which shaped this transformation.