B.A. English and History

Full-time students are expected to complete six modules per year: normally three modules in each semester. The rules governing the selection of modules vary depending on the year of study that you are in.

In the first year, the English department offers five modules available to main English students, three in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2.

The key elements of English provision in year ONE are the two compulsory modules, ‘Elements of Criticism’ (Semester 1) and ‘Modes of Reading’ (Semester 2). These modules, which introduce the basic tools of literary criticism and some concepts of critical theory, must be taken by all students reading BA Hons English, as well as by all combined degree students wishing to continue with English in years 2 and 3.

The remaining modules, ‘Literature and Society in Ireland: An Introduction’ (Semester 2), ‘Writing Matters’ and ‘Contemporary British Fiction’ (both Semester 1), are optional modules designed for those who want to focus from the very beginning on English.

In the second and third years, main English students normally take three English modules and three modules in their other subject. There are two compulsory English modules in each year: in the second year, ‘Early Modern English Culture’ (Semester 1) and ‘Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature’ (Semester 2); in the third year ‘Romantics and Victorians’ (Semester 1) and ‘Twentieth–Century Literature’ (Semester 2). Main students can choose whether to write their final year dissertation (either semester) in English or their other subject.

In English, you are normally expected to attend three hours per module per week: usually this translates into two lecture hours and one seminar hour per module. Over the course of a semester, on one module you are likely to receive up to 24 hours of lectures (2 lectures per week for 12 weeks) plus one seminar per week (i.e. 11 hours of seminars between weeks 2 and 12); and you will be expected to undertake 165 hours of independent study. In the latter, you are to engage with guided reading and research, producing coursework for submission, and / or exam preparation.

Additional ‘contact hours’ with staff are available, for example, during each staff member’s office hours per week. These hours are signposted on office doors. Alternatively, appointments with staff can be arranged in advance by email.

History

First Year:

As a full-time Main student: You may up take three modules of History in your first year. (You take three from your other other named subject. You will take 40 credits of history and twenty credits of your other subject in one semester and 20 credits of history and 40 credits of your other subject in the other semester. Students are free to do this in either semester 1 or 2.

The first year history modules include:

YEAR 1

Semester 1

Semester 2

Historical Skills: Themes in the History of the Modern World, 1789-1989 (Compulsory for all HIS students)

Early Modern Britain and Ireland

Ireland, 1800-1998

Defining America: Themes in American History

The Expansion of Europe, 1492-1815

The Making of Modern Britain, 1750-1945

These will provide a building block from which students can pursue more specialist study in Second Year and Third Year. In second year, first term, you will take three modules of History which will examine major themes in the history of nation states, or discrete topics such as gender history, early modern History and societies. Examples include witchcraft and magic, the Irish diaspora, family, sexuality and the state, and fascism and nationalism.

In your second semester, second year you may take a major survey course on Historiogrpahy. You will also have the opportunity to take at least one (a maximum of four) career focussed Practical History modules, which may include a work placement element. You will also take at least one (a maximum of four) Focal points, which will be fine grained examinations of key historical events involving details readings key historical events and their historical contexts.

Final Year: Third Year or Fourth Year (if you study abroad).

You may also take an optional third year of study abroad (see international study below).

Your final year in such case will be fourth year. For those who do not take a year abroad, Third Year will be your final and graduating year.

In your final year you may undertake the History project on a subject of your own choice (with help from a supervisor) and two other modules from a wide choice which will include the end of the European Empires, a number of Irish history module choices, the Irish Diaspora, the late Soviet Union, Gender History, and American History. If you do not do the History project because you are taking a project/ dissertation in your other subject, you will do three History modules of your choice.

YEAR 3

Semester 1

Semester 2

History Project: an independent project (7000 words) on a subject chosen by the student after discussion with an academic supervisor. Students may take this in Semester 1 or Semester 2. If they take their dissertation/ project in their other subject, they do not do the History project.

5-6 Optional 20 credit modules of which 2 will be Irish themed.

5-6 Optional 20 credit modules of which 2 will be Irish themed