Explore our Modern History taught Master's degree.

P-V140

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

30 September 2024

History

University of Warwick

Warwick offers a Modern History MA, an advanced study into the history of the modern world. You will investigate historical change within a broader conceptual and theoretical framework. This course will particularly appeal to those who wish to conduct further research in history.

This MA offers you an in-depth knowledge and overview of how the world in which we live has been formed over the course of the modern age. You will investigate economic, cultural, social and religious change from 1800 onwards. You will be introduced to key thinkers and theoretical models that have been used to make sense of modern societies. 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 Modern History’ interrogates the concept of ‘modernity’ across the world, giving you the opportunity to focus on the writings of some of the most influential thinkers, historians and political figures of the modern age.

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, including participating 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: Theories, Skills and Methods

This one-term 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 Modern History

This module explores modernity - both as a historical period and an intellectual project. We explore a different aspect of modernity – such as race, gender or sovereignty – each week by reading one seminal historical or theoretical work, in dialogue with the broader historiographical debates to which it speaks. The module is relatively unusual in offering students the opportunity to engage in depth with a single text, in order to acquire a strong grasp of the intellectual interventions that have defined the modern period. The strong theoretical focus of the module complements that of the other core module: Theories, Skills and Methods. Students will be encouraged to undertake critical analysis of texts and to formulate and test concepts and hypotheses. Teaching will be delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.

Dissertation (60 Credits)

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 Modern History

This module explores modernity - both as a historical period and an intellectual project. We explore a different aspect of modernity – such as race, gender or sovereignty – each week by reading one seminal historical or theoretical work, in dialogue with the broader historiographical debates to which it speaks. The module is relatively unusual in offering students the opportunity to engage in depth with a single text, in order to acquire a strong grasp of the intellectual interventions that have defined the modern period. The strong theoretical focus of the module complements that of the other core module: Theories, Skills and Methods. Students will be encouraged to undertake critical analysis of texts and to formulate and test concepts and hypotheses. Teaching will be delivered 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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