Module Information

Module Identifier
HYM0520
Module Title
Key Themes in Modern History
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Written essay 1  (3,000 words)  50%
Semester Assessment Written essay 2  (3,000 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Written essay 1  (3,000 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Written essay 2  (3,000 words)  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of relevant themes and approaches in the history and historiography of the modern era and of the key concepts selected for focused study.

2. Marshal and understand the use of appropriate evidence in formulating historical arguments in the field of modern history.

3. Demonstrate through written work an ability to integrate methodological, and where appropriate, comparative and interdisciplinary, themes into their own research.

4. Engage with primary sources as appropriate and demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of these sources for historians exploring particular questions in modern history. ​

Brief description

This module provides an introduction to key themes in modern history and prepares students for work on more specialized topics in the second semester. It focuses on the processes and developments that helped form the modern world, from industrialization to nationalism and colonialism, and from war and revolution to mass politics and media.

Content

​Sessions:

Introduction
Industrialization
Science
Nationalism
Colonialism
War
Revolution
Mass politics
Media
Conclusions

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The use of statistics, where appropriate to the topic under consideration, will form an integral part of discussion and the submission of written work on the module.
Communication Through seminar discussion, occasional individual and group presentations (not assessed) within seminars, and through essay writing.
Improving own Learning and Performance By guided reflection during seminars and feedback sessions following submission of written work.
Information Technology Students will be encouraged and supported in making use of IT in their research and in the preparation of assessed work.
Personal Development and Career planning Transferable skills developed through the module may help students define their own future career paths.
Problem solving By understanding how historians of the modern era employ a variety of different methodological approaches and consider a range of sources in order to understand problems within their field.
Research skills By undertaking research for essays and seminar discussion.
Subject Specific Skills By enhancing understanding of modern history and associated key historiographical debates. By developing the analysis of different kinds of primary sources related to the modern period.
Team work Through seminar work, which may involve group activities.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7