Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 116

HUMANITIES

History
Overview

We are our past – human identity relies on memories,
narratives and legends from the individual to the
global, and each person has a unique appreciation of
their place in the human story. It is a historian’s task
to decipher and question these understandings of
past years; to unearth the stories of those forgotten,
as well as to challenge the legitimacy of those
who profess to hold the centre stage. Becoming a
Keele historian means being inspired by this past
and its many aspects, but also understanding the
responsibilities that come with such expertise. Can
we take the multiple strands of our past and evaluate
them fairly to produce ethical, critical and convincing
histories? It is these skills that make history students
amongst the most employable of any degree.
At Keele, you will learn to not merely understand
what happened, but to look beneath the surface
of our world and analyse the forces which have
shaped it, from economic and social evolution to the
interaction of individuals, cultures, and environments.
Keele’s historians have an international reputation
in many fields, from Anglo-Saxon Britain to
20th century Africa, from religion to women’s politics.
They share a genuine passion for their subject, and
love to invite students into their mission of exploring
and explaining the past.

Course content

First year
The narrow specialisms of A-level are challenged
in a course which covers Europe and the wider
world from 400AD to the present day, and which
explores how past processes shape the present.
In first semester you will take Historical Research
and Writing, a ground breaking module that provides
integrated training in the historical skills needed
for the second and third years of study. Alongside
that you will choose further history modules from
our wide offering, ranging from Medieval Europe
to Modern History. We offer further modules in
medieval and early modern European history, local
history, and US history, providing a comprehensive
foundation to the key events and debates of English,
European and global history from the 11th century.
In addition, single honours students take the module
Histories of the Extraordinary and the Everyday
which concentrates on the different approaches
taken by historians when challenged by the vastness
of extraordinary events and the minutiae and banality
of the everyday. These modules typically involve 10
lectures, 10 small group seminars and one to one
feedback meetings.
We also encourage you to look at relevant options
offered by companion programmes, such as
International Relations or American Studies.

116

Second year
Second year courses provide a more detailed
understanding of specific periods or 'F