I'm a first year doing History and Politics so if you have any Qs I'd be happy to answer!
Only in my third week obviously but I've done a far bit already!
One main question, is there much flexibility in the first year? I can never really tell from the online stuff and haven't been able to make it to an open day where they normally explain these things
One main question, is there much flexibility in the first year? I can never really tell from the online stuff and haven't been able to make it to an open day where they normally explain these things
Well, I'm currently doing 3 modules, and I'll do another 3 in the term after Christmas. At the moment I'm doing two history and one politics. Two of my modules (Social and Political Theory, and Intro to Modern History) were compulsory for the first term, and the third module I chose (from Medieval History or Early Modern Studies).
Each module is assessed by two essays (so six in total) and you get to choose which question you answer. For Modern History I have a choice of 35 essays, for Social and Political Theory I have a choice of 10, but the topics are all really varied. If you prefer economic history, or social history or whatever, you can choose a question to do with that, so in that sense it is flexible.
Each module has 2 lectures and 1 seminar a week (so a 9 hour week) and you are given stuff to read in advance of the seminars so that it can be discussed and knowledge from the lectures is built on. Each week deals with a different area of history or a different political figure, so a wide overview is built up, and if you're interested in a particular event or person you can go away and read a book about it after being taught the basics.
The suggested reading lists are extensive. There are probably around 300 or 400 books in total that are recommended, so you really can read about whatever interests you.
All of the lecturers and seminar leaders I've met so far have all been really nice and really enthusiastic, which I love. At sixth form I think it's easy for teachers to get jaded and bored of the curriculum, but these guys (and gals) all seem really motivated and interested in their subject.
Well, I'm currently doing 3 modules, and I'll do another 3 in the term after Christmas. At the moment I'm doing two history and one politics. Two of my modules (Social and Political Theory, and Intro to Modern History) were compulsory for the first term, and the third module I chose (from Medieval History or Early Modern Studies).
Each module is assessed by two essays (so six in total) and you get to choose which question you answer. For Modern History I have a choice of 35 essays, for Social and Political Theory I have a choice of 10, but the topics are all really varied. If you prefer economic history, or social history or whatever, you can choose a question to do with that, so in that sense it is flexible.
Each module has 2 lectures and 1 seminar a week (so a 9 hour week) and you are given stuff to read in advance of the seminars so that it can be discussed and knowledge from the lectures is built on. Each week deals with a different area of history or a different political figure, so a wide overview is built up, and if you're interested in a particular event or person you can go away and read a book about it after being taught the basics.
The suggested reading lists are extensive. There are probably around 300 or 400 books in total that are recommended, so you really can read about whatever interests you.
All of the lecturers and seminar leaders I've met so far have all been really nice and really enthusiastic, which I love. At sixth form I think it's easy for teachers to get jaded and bored of the curriculum, but these guys (and gals) all seem really motivated and interested in their subject.
Thanks for that, it's really useful to hear it from someone who is actually there