History and Religion BA (Hons)

This module is an introduction to the academic study of religion. Through it you will prepare for degree level study by familiarising yourself with key terms, methodologies and issues. The module will also provide you with the academic skills you need to succeed on your degree, including:

• Using the library database
• Referencing sources
• Writing bibliographies
• Communicating your ideas
• Structuring your essays.

On this module you will develop the key skills needed to be a successful historian. Focusing on analytical interpretation rather than historical narrative, this module will prepare you for independent study at degree level . You will explore how historians:

• Examine primary sources
• Write and engage with secondary sources
• Construct arguments and apply theories
• Work with established historical concepts
• Question conventions and established time periods in history

On this module you will engage with important debates in the philosophy of religion, from the classic to the contemporary. You will consider religion as an ever present aspect of human society, challenging established ideas and developing skills in constructing rational arguments. The module will focus primarily on the western philosophical tradition and its relationship with the Abrahamic faiths. However, we will also consider how philosophical and religious thought interact in other traditions.

On this module you will learn about the global spread of Christianity, considering its interaction with diverse cultural, political and social contexts across history and the modern world. You will investigate the story of Christianity, and come to understand the changing global nature of Christianity today. This includes discussing the nature and impact of secularisation and areas of growth and decline for Christianity.

This module is your introduction to the history of York, from medieval to the Regency period. Through it you will explore the city, making use of its resources, and thinking critically about how we can assess changes through time. Taking York as a case study, we will discuss social and cultural development within the city. You will also consider the dialogue between York’s evolution and changes in national and global history. We will take a thematic approach, focusing on ongoing developments such as trade, public health and religion.

On this module you will focus on how war impacts society. Examining different types of war from different periods will build your skills in comparative analysis. You will also engage with contemporary historical debates about the relationship between war and society. We will examine case studies to discuss themes such as:

• The causes of war
• Who wins wars and why
• The effect of war on technological and historical development
• The role of citizens
• The importance of the state.

On this module you will explore ethics in both religious and secular traditions, applying them to various contexts, such as famine and affluence. You will consider:

• What informs the ethical decisions people make
• How people form their attitudes to moral dilemmas
• Whether there are sources for moral reasoning other than religious ones
• What, if anything, rich nations owe poorer nations.

You will reflect on your own assumptions surrounding these issues, and explore the relationship between ethical thought and religious belief.

On this module we will introduce you to the foundations of Christian theology by examining key figures, events and issues in the history of Christian thought. We will focus on both the historical development and the changing contexts of Christian theology. You will learn about the most significant sources of Christian theology, the key doctrines and the contributions of some of the major theologians.

On this module we will introduce you to the study of historical buildings, and their role in history. You will explore how history is expressed in the built environment and how it lives on around us. Using the buildings, spaces and resources in and around York, you will immerse yourself in this important aspect of history. We will encourage you to challenge existing narratives and assumptions, as you consider the relationship between sites, history and heritage.

On this module you will explore how human societies and the natural world have interacted and reshaped each other through time. This involves simultaneously taking environmental, social and cultural approaches to history. You will discover how nature has influenced society and people’s understanding of their place in the world, and evaluate the impact that social developments have on environmental issues. Through this you will learn about important concepts in social history, considering contemporary approaches to gender, race, power and the history of emotions.

The 20th Century was defined by conflict, but it also saw the spread of democracy and the construction of international organisations dedicated to the preservation of peace. On this module you will explore these contradictions as you study international history from 1900 to the present day, focusing on case studies of major crises. You will analyse these with reference to some of the main themes in recent international history, including:

• Imperialism
• Decolonisation
• International law
• Democracy and dictatorship
• Terrorism.

This module will give you a broad understanding of the history of the USA, from both a domestic and an international point of view. You will learn about America’s gradual emergence as a leading international power, economically, militarily and politically. We will explore historical developments in the American experience, including political, social and economic changes. You will consider the continuing tension between unity and diversity in American history, exploring topics such as the Civil War, industrialisation, consumer culture, foreign policy and immigration.

This module is an opportunity to reflect on how the skills and knowledge you are gaining on your degree can benefit you in the future. You will use the expertise and resources available within the University to find out more about the possible career options available to you. You will also explore some of the philosophical, theological and ethical issues which may arise in the workplace, as well as investigating theological meditations on the nature and meaning of work in the contemporary world.

This module is a great opportunity to improve your employability and start thinking about your career. You will consider how history, and the skills you have developed by studying it, relate to potential career paths. As part of this module you will participate in a 75 hour work placement. You will need to secure this placement yourself with staff support, but you can take advantage of the many connections we have established with heritage organisations in York and the wider region.

This module focuses on modern western philosophy in an important period of intellectual history. We will be introduced you to the most influential philosophers from the beginning of the 17th century through to the end of the 19th century, and explore the ethical and religious issues surrounding their work. You will learn about the interaction between philosophical and religious thought, and construct your own arguments in response to these ideas. This will help you to understand the concepts behind the debates surrounding religious belief in contemporary life.

Applied ethics is an essential part of philosophy, and on this module you will apply your developing understanding of ethical thought to an important area of contemporary life.  Many of the debates surrounding the topic of death employ religious arguments. By considering a range of widely debated issues in this area, you will learn how ethical theory interacts with practical matters and everyday life.

On this module you will explore a range of debates concerning a central themes in the philosophy of religion – the problem of evil. The existence of suffering, pain and atrocities has been used to question the existence of a benevolent God, and we will discuss some of the philosophical and theological responses to this problem. You will approach the topic through the works of various different philosophers, evaluating their different perspectives and forming your own critical responses.

On this module you will expand your understanding of religion through the study of literature. This will involve exploring texts across a variety of genres, styles and time periods, all of which engage with ideas of religion and spirituality. We will also introduce you to important concepts in literary theory, such as intertextuality and reader-response theory. Throughout the module you will build skills in analysis and critical reflection, considering how real experiences and debates can be expressed through fiction.

This module explores the complex relationship between religion and politics. We will consider the role religion plays in international relations, government policy and social identity, as well as discussing how governments can use religion to connect with citizens or to advance political agendas. Using case studies from across the world, we will investigate topics such as:

• Religious freedoms and human rights
• Democratisation
• Religious extremism
• Sectarian conflicts
• Fundamentalism
• Secularisation.

Religion can heavily impact the lives of individuals within society, whether or not they are believers. On this module you will consider religion from a sociological perspective, engaging with some of the debates and theories which address it. You will explore how religious and non religious lives can be understood within wider social structures and processes. We will use concepts of structure, agency and intersectionality to examine the role of religion in society, communities and individual lives.

On this module you will explore one of the most pressing issues facing humanity: its relationship with an increasingly devastated natural environment. You will examine modern spiritual outlooks on the natural world, as well as emerging eco-theologies. We will consider how religious thinkers have responded to climate change and mass extinction, and how religious ideas can contribute to debates about sustainable living. You will consider tradition, doctrine and ancient wisdom and explore these alongside contemporary environmental issues and movements.

This module builds on the Year 1 module Research and Presenting the Past, helping you to develop your research skills even further. You will do this by conducting project work in groups and engaging in independent research which will prepare you for the Dissertation module in your final year.  We we will discuss the importance of primary sources for understanding an event, period or theme, as well as exploring various schools of historical theory and methodology. The module may also include opportunities to work with local archives.

Despite the horrors of the Black Death, devastation of famine, and the ravages of the Hundred Years War, 14th century England was also full of artistic and literary achievement. On this module you will explore the ideals and ideas existing alongside the trauma of conflict. This will also involve assessing developments in political culture, to better understand the challenges and achievements of the period.

On this module you will learn about early modern English society, from the beginning of the Reformation in the 1540s to the Restoration in the 1660s. We will explore how people negotiated their everyday lives in a world that was becoming ever more watchful of their political loyalties and personal morality. You will investigate this period through a range of primary sources, engaging with them in creative ways to understand the everyday lived experiences of the time. These could include:

• State papers
• Court records
• Petitions
• Documents relating to parish life.

On this module you will take a cultural and gender-focused approach to 16th century British history. This is a fascinating period in which to study the changes in power, autonomy and image of women. You will find new perspectives on a much discussed period in history, exploring how political and religious movements affected the lived experiences of women from across society. Through this we will consider how these women presented themselves, and how they have been represented since.

On this module you will study the history of the Soviet Union, from the October Revolution in 1917 to the collapse of the Soviet experiment in 1991. In doing so you will identify the underlying reasons for both the rise and the fall of the Soviet state, as well as assessing its impact on the rest of the world. This will involve examining Soviet communism from various different perspectives, taking in political, economic, social, military and cultural history.

On this module you will study the Victorian period from a social and cultural historical angle, exploring food and eating from various overlapping perspectives. You will consider how food and eating were shaped by broad historical changes such as:

• Colonialism
• Industrialisation
• Science and technology
• Medical advancements
• Print culture

You will also examine cookbooks as historical documents, along with other primary sources relating to food production and consumption in Britain, France and their empires. Through case studies you will engage with debates about the connections between food and everyday life, class, gender, race and civilisation.

On this module you will learn about the social and political history of Britain from the union of Scotland and England in 1707 until the crowning of Queen Victoria. This was a period of enormous political, social and economic change, which also saw Britain rapidly assuming a leading position amongst the world’s major powers. Topics you cover may include:

• The Hanoverian succession
• The Jacobite rebellion
• Imperial expansion
• Industrialisation
• Trade, commerce and capitalism, including the slave trade
• The American Revolution
• The Napoleonic Wars.

On this module you will examine, confront and evaluate the historical debates surrounding the American Civil War. You will learn about the campaigns and strategies of the war itself, as well as its social and political impact and its lasting cultural legacy. You will also consider the social and political forces that have shaped how this period has been retold in historical and pop culture representations. This will open wider discussion about how wars are remembered and commemorated.

The 1960s were a turbulent time for the USA. President Lyndon Johnson was embarking on a series of reforms aiming to create “the Great Society” at the same time as the seemingly endless war in Vietnam. It was also a time of great achievements, with America leading the first moon landings. Topics you will cover on this module include:

• The image and domestic policies of the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon presidencies
• Radicalism and dissent, including counterculture, urban riots and student protests
• The domestic impact of the Vietnam War.

On this module you will examine the traumatic history of China throughout the lifetime of Mao Zedong. You will confront and evaluate the historical debates surrounding China’s transition from the world’s oldest imperial power to a revolutionary Communist state. In doing so you will consider the political, ideological, economic, military, social and cultural forces that shaped these events. Given China's modern status as a major world power, learning about its turbulent past and Mao's legacy will help you to understand wider global developments.

This module will focus on the Roman Empire in the first century AD, exploring what life was really like under imperial rule across society and across the empire. This will mean looking in depth at famous figures like Tiberius, Caligula and Nero, known for their violence and cruelty, as well as those like Vespasian whose legacy is more favourable. You will engage closely with different kinds of primary materials, including  archaeology, art, coins and inscriptions as well as written sources.

On this module you will have the chance to get involved with some of the research taking place within our department. The content will be different every year, depending on the current research taking place in the academic team, the resources available, and what you and your course mates are interested in. This is an opportunity to be part of our ongoing contribution to historical knowledge, and to build your research skills before starting your Dissertation in the final year. 

On this module you will focus on the experience of African Americans both as enslaved people and in the years following the abolition of slavery. You will learn about the origins, development and abolition of slavery in the USA, assessing the impact and nature of the American slave system. We will discuss contemporary responses of both African Americans and white Americans to slavery, relationships between races after slavery ended, and the emergence of cultural expression among African Americans.

On this module you will examine the history of the United States since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. You will explore a range of issues that have impacted American politics, culture and society in the years since these events. Your learning will be informed by the wider ideological, cultural and political history of the United States.

Topics may include:

• The War on Terror
• Fake news
• LGBTQ+ rights
• American conspiracies such as the birther movement and Q-Anon
• Response to crises such as 2008 recession and the Covid 19 pandemic