About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: LV21
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 320
- Department: Arts
- Campus: St Matthias and Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Alastair.Kocho-Williams@uwe.ac.uk (History) Peter.Clegg@uwe.ac.uk (Politics)
- Key fact: In the last five National Student Surveys History at UWE has consistently scored over 90 per cent in the overall satisfaction ratings and Politics at UWE has scored close to 90 per cent. In the 2011 Guardian University League Tables Politics at UWE scored 91 per cent for overall course satisfaction.
Introduction
This course allows you to combine on an equal basis two subjects, giving you a sound and critical perspective on both subjects, with a good choice of option modules.
History at UWE incorporates a broad chronology of history, including Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and Contemporary History in areas such as Britain, Ireland, Europe, Russia and America. Staff research expertise encompasses International, Imperial, Social, Political, Economic and Cultural History, all of which feeds directly into our teaching. Most History modules are based around a programme of one or two one-hour lectures and one-hour or two-hour long seminars per week. As a History and Politics student you will receive around six hours of History contact time per week at level one. Lectures are intended to introduce the subject, discuss interpretations and approaches and provide guidance for further reading. A seminar programme is normally linked to the lectures and issues raised there may be subjected to more detailed scrutiny or criticism through discussion. The primary purpose of the seminar is to provide you with the opportunity to discuss ideas collectively in a critical and thoughtful manner. On several occasions tutors will meet you individually to discuss your assessed work. Tutors also have office hours when you can discuss your work or your progress more generally, with them. Unless they are exceptionally busy, tutors will also see students beyond their office hours and strive to respond promptly to e-mails. The ethos of the History department is informal, supportive and welcoming.
In Politics at UWE, you study how power is gained, used and controlled in society. This ranges from the traditional study of politics as government to, for example, analysis of the way different popular movements, cultures and great thinkers look at the conflicts of interest between groups. Politics offers a distinctive and flexible programme of study taught by experienced staff who are active researchers and committed to delivering quality teaching. Research interests of staff include the UK, Ireland, the USA, France, Germany, the European Union, Africa, and Latin America. It also includes ethnic conflict, nationalism, development, media, international political economy, human rights, political psychology, ethics, justice, ideology, and political philosophy.
Find out more about what History and Politics at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Structure
Content
History
At level one you take a 30-credit History module, Sources for Courses: History and Evidence. You can choose the second module from the following:
- Foundations of the West
- International History 1890-2000: Century of the Superpowers
- British History from the Black Death to the Present Day
You will take two 30-credit history modules at level two and two 30-credit history modules at level three. There are no compulsory modules; you are free to choose from an impressive range of optional modules, including taking one special subject module at level three, if you wish. However, if you wish to write a dissertation at level three, you must take a module, History Project Management, at level two.
Politics
At level one you take two introductory modules focusing on politics within individual states, Democracies or Dictatorships?, and the politics of ideas, Ideas and Power. Both equip you to pursue a range of modules at levels two and three.
At level two you take two compulsory modules. Comparative Politics continues the study of politics in practice, covering a variety of themes cross-nationally such as democratisation, voting and elections. In Political Theory you will look at the works of particular thinkers as well as examining ideologies where ideas are expressed in political practice through parties and movements.
Level three Politics options include: policymaking in Britain, migrants and refugees, American elections, the extreme right in Europe, politics of Latin America, the politics of climate change and the dissertation. Another module at level three is 'Politics in the Workplace: linking theory and practice' which gives you the opportunity to undertake a work placement and gain valuable practical experience. These option areas come together to allow you to study the issues, countries, societies and ideas which are of most interest to you.
Please note that you may only complete a dissertation in one of your two chosen subjects.
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
History
With the exception of the dissertation, all modules in History are taught by a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Most teaching also includes the use of computer assisted learning packages, allowing access to a range of primary and secondary materials. Several members of the History staff have been involved in developing coursework for the study of History at a national level. We use a wide variety of assessment methods including essays, extended essays, document tests and exercises, assessed seminar papers, book and/or periodical reviews, projects, a dissertation (optional for joint honours students) and end of year examinations. Your overall mark for each module is based on both assessed coursework and end of year examinations.
Politics
Politics classes generally consist of lectures and seminars. Lectures consist of a broad survey of a subject delivered by a lecturer. Seminars are discussion groups consisting of a tutor and approximately 18 students. They are interactive. The tutor facilitates a discussion in which students engage in debates and questioning. Preparatory reading is essential for seminars to be effective. History and Politics students at level one can expect an average of six hours contact time per week across the year.
Tutors also have office hours when you can discuss your work or your progress more generally, with them. Unless they are very busy, tutors will also see students beyond their office hours and strive to respond promptly to e-mails. The ethos of Politics staff members is informal, supportive and welcoming.
Studying independently
One of the great challenges of moving into higher education is to adjust to the amount of independent study you are required to do. Compared to school or college, you will spend less time in class. But you will be expected to do more studying in your own time. Independent study primarily consists of reading and learning from published sources - books, articles, official documents, web sites, etc.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Assessment
History
The History staff use a wide variety of assessment methods including essays, extended essays, document tests and exercises, assessed seminar papers, book and/or periodical reviews, projects, a dissertation (optional for joint honours students) and end of year examinations. Your overall mark for each module is based on both assessed coursework and end of year examinations.
Politics
Most modules are assessed by a mix of coursework and end-of-year exams. Coursework takes many forms, including essays, oral presentations, literature reviews and simulation games.
Special Features
Placements
This programme offers you the opportunity to study abroad for up to a year in the USA at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) or with one of our Erasmus partner institutions in Europe.
Politics student-staff research events
We organise a series of student-staff Wednesday afternoon research events with a strong focus on contemporary issues. Recent topics have included: criminalising hate speech in a democratic society; the EU’s role in the former Yugoslavia; and migrant rights violations in Bristol.
Volunteering
Many students opt to volunteer, either through the UWE volunteering service or through their own contacts.
Volunteering offers a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience and develop useful skills whilst helping organisations and charities to deliver vital services. Many students are taking on volunteering roles which often leads to further involvement post-degree or even paid employment.
Study facilities
Politics is taught on the Frenchay Campus, the main University campus and History is taught on the 19th century St Matthias Campus in Fishponds, just one mile away. There is a regular bus service into the city centre and between campuses.
The St Matthias campus has several general-purpose computer labs, and there are more at the main Frenchay Campus. Students have free access to e-mail and the Internet, as well as all of the library services. When you have your username and password, you can access a variety of services at home. UWE Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, supports all modules. Material on Blackboard for courses will typically include module information, seminar worksheets, lecture handouts and supporting material, assignment information, useful websites, chapters from books and journal articles relevant to the texts studied on the modules.
Careers/further study
Students develop a range of skills in analysis, written and oral communication, information retrieval, use of information technology, and group work which prepares them for many occupations requiring graduates. Past students have followed careers in such varied occupations as management, journalism, recruitment, the armed services, financial and legal services, central and local government and teaching.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Alexander's career at the Institute of Directors.
Useful links
UWE - careers in museums and heritage management
UWE - careers in government and public administration
Guardian - what to do with a degree in history
Guardian - what to do with a degree in politics
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 320
- GCSE: English Language at grade C or above
- Specific subjects: None specified
- Relevant subjects: History
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in English Language.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011