Overview

The BA (Hons) History at the University of York explores the past through the study of people, societies, events and ideas across different periods and places. The course encourages students to examine how historical change occurs, assess different interpretations of the past and develop a critical understanding of evidence and historical debate.

What You'll Learn

• Major historical periods, themes and developments across different societies and geographical regions.

• Political, social, economic and cultural change and the factors that influence historical developments.

• Key historical events, movements, institutions and individuals from different contexts.

• Methods for interpreting primary sources and assessing historical evidence.

• Historiographer approaches and debates surrounding the interpretation of the past.

• Relationships between historical events and wider social, cultural and political developments.

• Research techniques for investigating historical questions and constructing evidence-based interpretations.

• Critical reading, independent research, analytical writing, argument development and academic communication.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to analyses historical events and developments using appropriate evidence and interpretative approaches. They will understand how political, social, economic and cultural factors interact to produce historical change and will be able to recognize that the past can be interpreted from different perspectives. Students will develop the ability to locate, evaluate and critically use primary and secondary sources, distinguishing between reliable evidence and competing interpretations. They will also be able to formulate clear historical arguments, support conclusions with relevant evidence and communicate complex ideas effectively. The course encourages intellectual independence, careful source analysis and a questioning approach to established interpretations of the past.