BA (Hons) History with Social Science

BA (Hons) History with Social Science
History work at CertHE level has been highly regarded by external examiners, universities - which have continued to be eager to take Ruskin History students - and former students themselves who have readily and enthusiastically acknowledged the role which the study of History at Ruskin has played in their subsequent academic and personal lives. History students have consistently obtained university undergraduate (and postgraduate) places at highly rated universities. However, many students have wanted to continue their studies and complete their degree at Ruskin: hence the introduction of this new degree from Autumn 2008. The degree draws on students' life experiences and encourages independent study drawing on previous historical enthusiasms. It also develops different ways of thinking about the past,

Modules privilege critical thinking about historiographical processes. Thus the module on Animals and History: Whose history? challenges the very nature of history itself as a discourse devoted to human experience; the module on Approaches to navigating the past questions the fundamental pre-occupation of historians with chronology and the module on Historical Controversies acknowledges the unsettled nature of the historical thinking. The conceptual highlighting in such modules complements the historical content taken in other degree pathways which emphasise the past. Such module choices include 'Historical development of trade unions national and international' and 'Radical political economy'. The juxtaposition of ideas and content from different discourses will both broaden intellectual understanding and enable students to think across what are sometimes seen to be false disciplinary boundaries.

Overall Course Aims
The aims of the degree at second and third level are to enable students to continue aspects of specific historical study alongside a choice of modules drawn from Social Sciences, and International Labour and Trade Union degrees. It will also provide the opportunity for students taking other degrees to take some options in History. The modules in the Western European Left since 1890 and Campaigning on gender, race and class in C20th Britain both provide specific development from the first year History modules on Change and Democracy in Britain and Europe and Radicalism, Socialism and Feminism in Britain 1790 -1900 but also complement historical modules offered in the ILTUS and Social Sciences degrees, for example, Europe in a Changing World (which covers the post- second world war period) or Historical development of trade unions national and international. Modules offered in Approaches to Navigating the Past and Whose past: Whose present? both provide development from the CertHE modules in concepts and practice of history but also complement the Social Science module on Sociology of culture and identity.

Learning Methods and Strategies
Students will be taught in relatively small groups that allow inter-active and hands on approaches. Students will be required to read in class AND in libraries a range of materials including archive materials, visual texts and secondary literature. Students will be required to make presentations in class and engaged in writing and orally with subject matter. Some provision for tutorials will help students work independently.

Requirement
All candidates must be able to satisfy the general admissions requirements for Ruskin College. These are: * You should be aged 19 or over * You must obtain medical clearance * You must demonstrate commitment to the ethos and vocation of Ruskin College * You must have the ability to benefit from study at this level Selection interviews are conducted as a two-way process in which you can make an informed decision about the suitability of the programme for you. You will find this process valuable. You will participate in an induction week, which includes sessions on all aspects of the college.