Bachelor of Arts - Modern History and International Relations (VL12)

Students obtain a thorough grounding in the fields of modern history and international relations, and will explore how these disciplines influence one another. Students take introductory modules in international relations and politics alongside their history modules in the first year, and continue to combine modules in modern history and international relations in the second and third years. There is a range of options to choose from in both departments and students choose to write their final-year dissertation in either politics or history.

In their history modules students investigate the intersection of the ideas, cultures and economics of different people over the last 200 years of western history. They are introduced to the relationship between today’s ‘modern’ world, which assumes the significance of political liberty, global interdependence and sexuality, and events and ideas which originated in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This course should also interest students if they want to understand how the international system works, how decisions are made and how lines are drawn. They’ll gain a foundation in politics, while the study of international relations develops their research and critical analysis skills, while teaching them methods of analysis and giving them awareness of the world system.

Students have the opportunity to indulge their interests in modern history and international relations by selecting modules from a wide range of specializations, including:

• Conflict and security studies • Politics of the Middle East • The spread of communist-inspired revolutions in China, Russia, and Latin America • The origins and consequences of the Cold War • Imperialism in India and Africa

The Department of History has developed a strong research and teaching profile, with the majority of its research rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014). They provide students with opportunities to explore local history, and have strong links with the Essex Record Office, one of the best county record offices in the UK. Students can also explore more international topics; their corridors are truly cosmopolitan, with an international research team and a high proportion of international students.

The Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. They are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began.