Explore our Global and Comparative History taught Master's degree.

P-V201

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

30 September 2024

History

University of Warwick

The Global and Comparative History MA investigates one of the most dynamic areas of historical enquiry and debate. Warwick's History Department – whose research activity is ranked one of the highest in the country (92%, REF 2021) has expertly designed one of the first courses in the UK to focus specifically on global and comparative history, examining how the global can be investigated in relation to the regional and local.

This innovative MA course is one of the first in the UK to focus specifically on global and comparative history, offering you the chance to investigate one of the most dynamic areas of current historical enquiry and debate. Our modules are taught by a team of experts, ensuring that you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible.

In the first term you will study two core modules. ‘Theory, Skills and Methods’ provides a foundation in historical methods and theoretical frameworks used to study society and culture from the early modern period to the contemporary world. ‘Themes in Global and Comparative History’ examines this emerging field, the methods it adopts, the subject areas it addresses and the criticisms it has attracted. Throughout, you are encouraged to explore how the global can be investigated in relation to the regional and the local, as part of wider debates on historical methods and interpretation. This provides a route into studying major regions of the globe, including Latin America, India and China.

In the second term, you will select two optional modules in which you can explore themes and approaches to the historical study of religious cultures; gender and sexuality; science and technology; empire; consumption and the medical humanities.

The final key element is the dissertation - here you have a large amount of freedom to develop a project of your own choice with help and guidance from your supervisor who will meet with you throughout the third term. Throughout the year, you will be able to take advantage of the Department’s six research centres, especially the Global History and Culture Centre, and participate in the lively schedule of academic research seminars, lectures and conferences.

The programme will appeal equally to those wishing to undertake further postgraduate study and those pursuing a career outside of the University, equipping you with research, writing and critical thinking skills vital in a range of professions.

Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods

This compulsory 30 CATS one-term MA module will equip you with the methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. As a student on one of the four MA History courses, you are required to follow it during the Autumn Term. Teaching will be delivered in one lecture and one seminar each week.

Themes in Global and Comparative History

This compulsory 30 CATS one-term core module for the MA in Global and Comparative History is intended to give a critical overview of one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of modern historical enquiry - global history. It aims to give you an understanding of how global history has emerged from earlier approaches to the study of history, what makes it distinctive and what its principal strengths and weaknesses might be. As the core course, this module not only examines the range of historical methods and interpretations that constitute global history, but also looks at ways in which 'the global' can be investigated in relation to the regional and the local by taking up perspectives from Asia, Africa and the Atlantic and Islamic Worlds.

Dissertation

The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important piece of work you will produce in the course (a 15,000 word project). You should view it mainly as an opportunity to do in-depth research on your favourite topic and to develop research techniques and methodologies as well as to present the research in an appropriate format. It is helpful to begin the course with a clear, if general, idea of your dissertation topic.

Class Size

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.

• Band C
• IELTS overall score of 7.5, minimum component scores of two at 6.5/7.0 and the rest at 7.5 or above.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods

This compulsory 30 CATS one-term MA module will equip you with the methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. As a student on one of the four MA History courses, you are required to follow it during the Autumn Term. Teaching will be delivered in one lecture and one seminar each week.

Themes in Global and Comparative History

This compulsory 30 CATS one-term core module for the MA in Global and Comparative History is intended to give a critical overview of one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of modern historical enquiry - global history. It aims to give you an understanding of how global history has emerged from earlier approaches to the study of history, what makes it distinctive and what its principal strengths and weaknesses might be. As the core course, this module not only examines the range of historical methods and interpretations that constitute global history, but also looks at ways in which 'the global' can be investigated in relation to the regional and the local by taking up perspectives from Asia, Africa and the Atlantic and Islamic Worlds. It is taught in weekly two-hour seminars.

Dissertation

The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important piece of work you will produce in the course (a 15,000 word project). You should view it mainly as an opportunity to do in-depth research on your favourite topic and to develop research techniques and methodologies as well as to present the research in an appropriate format. It is helpful to begin the course with a clear, if general, idea of your dissertation topic.

• Matters of Life and Death: Topics in the Medical Humanities
• Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Religious Cultures
• Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Consumption
• Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Empire
• Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Gender and Sexuality
• Themes in the History of Science, Technology, Environment and Society, 1500-today

You are required to take two of the above.

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