English and History

Combining your English and history studies gives you a very wide range of modules to choose from. For English you can study the history of literature from the medieval period right up to the present day. A range of modules give you the option to study anything from Shakespeare to science fiction, Romantic poetry to contemporary poetry, or Victorian novels to Hollywood films. We start by covering topics such as how to analyse a poem and how to read a novel as a literary critic, moving on to historical surveys of literature. We then explore in more detail many of the periods, movements and topics previously covered. For history we teach social, cultural, and political history from the early modern period through to the contemporary period, focusing in particular on the British Isles, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and India. Our emphasis is very much on ‘doing history’. You’ll use primary sources from the very beginning of your studies, and analyse various kinds of historical evidence, including written and oral materials, maps, visual images, feature films, art, and music. You will consider how the use of sources and media representation inform our reconstructions of the past. You will reflect critically on key debates in history, looking at how they have developed over time, and how they have shaped our understanding of the world. You will also learn how historians ‘make’ history, and evaluate their roles in today’s public life, media, and the heritage industry.