Contemporary British History

To provide a distinctive programme suitable both for those intending to proceed to a PhD and for those who wish to study contemporary British history at an advanced level.

This programme provides training in and experience of historical analysis of issues of importance for the understanding of contemporary Britain. It focuses upon the study of British history over the past century, but assumes that British history must be understood in relation to other countries and regions, in particular the Empire/Commonwealth, Europe and North America.

Alongside the development of techniques, skills and knowledge relevant to the interests and research needs of individual students, the programme aims to equip students for both independent research and analysis in primary and secondary material, and writing at an advanced level, thus fostering students’ intellectual development and independent learning ability required for continuing professional and personal development.

It is taught by staff within the newly formed Institute for Contemporary History, led by Professor Pat Thane, drawing on the expertise staff within the Institute, the Department of History, the School of Law, and the Department of War Studies, in subjects such as political history, social and demographic history, economic history and international history.

Compulsory modules:
Britain since 1900: Politics, Society, Economy, Culture, International Relations; Contemporary History in Practice – covers methodologies in theory and practice, and contemporary historiography.

Optional modules:
Students choose two optional modules, which include:
British State Welfare and the State of Welfare in Britain, 1900-45, British State Welfare and the State of Welfare in Britain, 1945-2000, Gender in British Society 1900-45, Gender in British Society 1945-2000, Parties, Voters and Political Culture in Britain 1900-1945, Parties, Voters and Political Culture in Britain 1945-2000, Britain and the Cold War in Europe, Britain and the Cold War in the Extra-European World, Financial Crises in History - Public Debt and Exchange Rate Crises, Financial Crises in History - Banking Crises and Asset Price Crashes, Oral Data-gathering for Contemporary Historians, History and Policy: Policymaking under Pressure, History and Policy: Long-term Policy Problems. (Not all courses are available in all years)

Students may also take agreed optional modules from other MA History programmes and other colleges in the University of London.

Dissertation:
A 15,000 word compulsory dissertation based upon primary sources.