-
CHH300
Dissertation/Project
The Combined Honours dissertation/project is a compulsory 40-credit module that runs across TB1 and TB2 in the final year. The dissertation/project module is an opportunity for students to research an area in which they are especially interested. Students will conduct research on a subject of their choice which has been designed in consultation with a member of staff. Students will be encouraged to develop multidisciplinary dissertations/projects. Expert supervision will be available throughout the year in group seminars and individual meetings
-
HI-M38
Past and Present: Themes in History
This module offers you an in-depth engagement with key debates, theories, and methodological approaches that have shaped the discipline of history from the Enlightenment to the present. It is designed to provide you with a critical understanding of historiography as both a body of scholarly literature and a dynamic, reflexive practice central to historical inquiry. Through a close reading of foundational texts, schools of thought, and recent historiographical interventions, students will interrogate how historians construct arguments, use evidence, and navigate epistemological challenges.
You will engage with topics such as empiricism, Marxism, the Annales School, postmodernism, gender and postcolonial critiques, microhistory, memory studies, and global history. Emphasis will also be placed on the ethical and political dimensions of historical representation and the role of the historian in public discourse.
By the end of the module, you will be expected to demonstrate an advanced conceptual grasp of historical theory, critically assess differing historiographical traditions, and apply these insights to their own research practices. The module fosters independence of thought, originality in interpretation, and methodological self-awareness.
-
HI-M39
Managing Historical Research
During this module you will be guided through the process of formulating a viable, original, and academically sound research proposal in the discipline of History. You develop your own research project idea with the guidance and support of your supervisor. Through a combination of seminars, independent research, and supervisory meetings, you will engage with historiography, methodology, source evaluation, and research ethics. By the end of the module, you will have produced a fully developed research proposal suitable for submission to support an MA dissertation.
-
HIH293
The Global First World War
To what extent (if at all) did the First World War transform modern societies? This module engages with this key question by examining the totality of the First World War ¿ a conflict viewed by many as the first `total war¿ - and its impact on the modern world. The causes, course and consequences of the conflict are explored though a range of approaches: military, political, economic, social, cultural, technological, moral and legal.
-
HIH3300
History Dissertation
The History dissertation is a free-standing, 40-credit module that runs across both semesters of Level Three. Candidates conduct research upon a subject of their choice, devised in consultation with a member of staff teaching for the degrees in History, and concerning a topic that falls within staff research and teaching interests.
-
HIH3340
The Lights that Failed: the League of Nations and International Peace 1919 -1939
This module focuses on the history of the League of Nations, the world¿s first ever intergovernmental organisation. Founded in the aftermath of the First World War, its primary function was to preserve international peace through the promotion of greater international cooperation between states. The League failed in its primary aim but had a great influence on the twentieth and twenty first centuries through its influence on organisations that followed, such as the United Nations.
This module is not a simple institutional history of the League. Instead, it uses the League of Nations as a way of exploring some of the key themes in the interwar period (1919-1939) that still shape the world today. These include gender, humanitarianism, race, public opinion, disarmament, war and peace, as well as many issues pertaining to relations between different nations. Students will be encouraged to explore different themes through the study of a wide range of primary sources.¿
-
HIH396
From Machiavelli to Mussolini: Government and Society in Western Political Thought
This module offers a guide to the history of ideas on government and society which continue to influence political thought and action in the 21st century. The lectures will start by looking at the origins of democratic thinking in Athens, 5th Century BC, and will then give a brief account of medieval political thought and the impact of Christian-Muslim encounters. The main part of the course will deal with modern ideas on government as developed by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, the political authors of the Enlightenment and American Revolution, and Marx and Lenin. The final part will focus on the Italian and German national socialists' assault on the liberal state and Western democratic tradition. Students will have the opportunity to read and discuss a representative selection from the 'classics' of Western political thought and reflect on their contemporary political relevance. As will be shown, some of today's best-known early modern texts on the nature of state power were misinterpreted by contemporaries and brought into disrepute by fascist ideologues who claimed them in defence of dictatorship.
-
HIHX213
City University, Hong Kong
This Module is delivered at City University Hong Kong, for those students who participate in an Exchange Programme.
-
HIY101
From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century
What are the historical roots of the climate crisis? Why has poverty proven so difficult to eliminate? Why do epidemic diseases continue to resurface? Will AI eventually replace historians? These are just some of the pressing questions explored in this module. Here at Swansea we believe that history provides essential tools for understanding the present. This module invites you to examine how insights from the past can help contextualize and address the complex global challenges we face today. You will be encouraged to reflect on your role as an emerging historian and to develop skills that will enable you contribute to contemporary debates.
Through a series of workshops across the semester, you will also develop practical skills in communicating historical knowledge and arguments to diverse audiences. Activities may include writing for the public, drawing up policy briefings, drafting podcast episodes, or create content for, and design, educational resources. Drawing on the rich research expertise of staff across the History and Heritage department, and inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this module explores themes such as poverty, famine, disease, gender inequality, climate change, and education, and more. It spans a vast range of historical periods and regions, asking you to think creatively about why history matters. By thinking collaboratively with fellow students and with expert researchers in the department, you will deepen your understanding of history¿s relevance in the modern world and enhance your ability to engage broad audiences. At its core, this module challenges you to consider how your study of history can shape your identity as a global citizen.
-
HIY101C
O Ffeithiau i Newyddion Ffug: Bod yn Hanesydd yn yr Unfed Ganrif ar Hugain
Beth mae'n ei olygu i fod yn hanesydd yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain? O ddymchwel cerfluniau, i ofnau am gynnydd ffasgiaeth, trin a thrafod etifeddiaeth gwladychiaeth, arsylwi pen-blwyddi gwrthdaro yn y gorffennol, neu gymariaethau hanesyddol a ddefnyddir i gefnogi neu wrthwynebu rhai safbwyntiau gwleidyddol, mae disgwrs gyhoeddus yn llawn trafodaethau o'r gorffennol. Rydym hefyd yn byw mewn oes o 'newyddion ffug', lle mae honiadau i'r hyn sy'n wir neu nad yw'n wir yn cael eu dadlau yn gyhoeddus, a ffeithiau eu hunain yn cael eu herio. Boed yn y gorffennol neu'r presennol, mae haneswyr bob amser wedi bod yn ymwneud â dadansoddi gwahanol fathau o dystiolaeth i benderfynu ar y gwir sut a pham y digwyddodd digwyddiadau'r gorffennol fel y gwnaethant. Bydd y modiwl hwn yn rhoi i chi¿r sgiliau ymchwil hanfodol a meddwl yn feirniadol sy'n hanfodol i ddeall y byd modern lle mae¿r gwir yn fwy dadleuol nag erioed o¿r blaen, boed yn y cyfryngau poblogaidd, disgwrs wleidyddol, cyfryngau cymdeithasol, neu ddeallusrwydd artiffisial.
Yn y modiwl hwn byddwch yn dysgu am sut mae haneswyr yn mynd i'r afael ag astudio'r gorffennol mewn gwahanol ffyrdd, gan ganolbwyntio'n benodol ar sut maent wedi ymdrin â heriau a dadleuon allweddol yn y gorffennol. Byddwch yn ystyried sut mae astudio hanes wedi datblygu yn y gorffennol ac yn parhau i ddatblygu yn y presennol, yn ogystal â'r nifer o ffyrdd y mae haneswyr yn cyfleu eu gwaith i gynulleidfaoedd ehangach. Byddwch hefyd yn dechrau datblygu'r sgiliau ymchwil, ysgrifennu a chyfathrebu allweddol sy'n hanfodol i astudio hanes yn y brifysgol. Byddwch yn adeiladu ar lawer o'r sgiliau a'r syniadau hyn yn y modiwl Heriau Byd-eang a gynhelir yn ail semester eich blwyddyn gyntaf. Bydd y modiwl hwn yn eich paratoi ar gyfer eich taith hanes ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe ond bydd hefyd yn eich helpu i feddwl yn feirniadol am y byd ehangach.
-
HIY102
Global Challenges and the Historian
What are the historical roots of the climate crisis? Why has poverty proven so difficult to eliminate? Why do epidemic diseases continue to resurface? Will AI eventually replace historians? These are just some of the pressing questions explored in this module. Here at Swansea we believe that history provides essential tools for understanding the present. This module invites you to examine how insights from the past can help contextualize and address the complex global challenges we face today. You will be encouraged to reflect on your role as an emerging historian and to develop skills that will enable you contribute to contemporary debates.
Through a series of workshops across the semester, you will also develop practical skills in communicating historical knowledge and arguments to diverse audiences. Activities may include writing for the public, drawing up policy briefings, drafting podcast episodes, or create content for, and design, educational resources. Drawing on the rich research expertise of staff across the History and Heritage department, and inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this module explores themes such as poverty, famine, disease, gender inequality, climate change, and education, and more. It spans a vast range of historical periods and regions, asking you to think creatively about why history matters. By thinking collaboratively with fellow students and with expert researchers in the department, you will deepen your understanding of history¿s relevance in the modern world and enhance your ability to engage broad audiences. At its core, this module challenges you to consider how your study of history can shape your identity as a global citizen.
-
HIY102C
Heriau Byd-eang a'r Hanesydd
Beth yw gwreiddiau hanesyddol yr argyfwng hinsawdd? Pam mae wedi bod mor anodd dileu tlodi? Pam mae clefydau epidemig yn dychwelyd byth a hefyd? A fydd deallusrwydd artiffisial yn disodli haneswyr yn y pen draw? Dyma rai o'r cwestiynau mawr sy'n cael eu harchwilio yn y modiwl hwn. Yma yn Abertawe credwn fod hanes yn darparu arfau hanfodol sy¿n ein helpu i ddeall y presennol. Mae'r modiwl hwn yn gyfle i archwilio sut y gall gwybodaeth am y gorffennol helpu i ddarparu cyd-destun a mynd i'r afael â'r heriau byd-eang cymhleth sy'n ein hwynebu ni yn yr oes sydd ohoni. Byddwch yn cael eich annog i fyfyrio ar eich rôl fel darpar hanesydd ac i ddatblygu sgiliau a fydd yn eich galluogi i gyfrannu at ddadleuon cyfoes.
Mewn cyfres o weithdai ar draws y semester, byddwch hefyd yn datblygu sgiliau ymarferol ar gyfer cyflwyno gwybodaeth a dadleuon hanesyddol i gynulleidfaoedd amrywiol. Gall gweithgareddau gynnwys ysgrifennu ar gyfer y cyhoedd, llunio briffiau polisi, braslunio penodau ar gyfer podlediadau, neu greu cynnwys ar gyfer adnoddau addysgol. Mae'r modiwl hwn yn manteisio ar arbenigedd ymchwil cyfoethog staff yn yr adran Hanes a Threftadaeth, ac mae wedi'i ysbrydoli gan Nodau Datblygu Cynaliadwy y Cenhedloedd Unedig. Mae'n archwilio themâu fel tlodi, newyn, clefydau, anghydraddoldeb rhywedd newid yn yr hinsawdd, addysg, a mwy. Mae'n rhychwantu ystod eang o gyfnodau a rhanbarthau hanesyddol, gan ofyn i chi ystyried yn greadigol pam mae hanes yn bwysig. Trwy feddwl mewn ffordd gydweithredol ar y cyd â chyd-fyfyrwyr ac ymchwilwyr arbenigol yn yr adran, byddwch yn dyfnhau eich dealltwriaeth o berthnasedd hanes yn y byd modern ac yn gwella eich gallu i ymgysylltu â chynulleidfaoedd eang. Yn ei hanfod, mae'r modiwl hwn yn eich herio i ystyried sut y gall astudio hanes lywio eich hunaniaeth fel dinesydd byd-eang.
-
HIY103
Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present
How did modern Europe come into being? From the flames of the French Revolution in 1789 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, you will meet the people behind these monumental events and study the worlds they lived in through a diverse range of voices. In this module, we trace the historical background of such extreme developments in European political, social and economic history from the French Revolution to the present day. We will cover a range of `extreme¿ events that shaped modern and contemporary European history from revolutions (the French, 1848 and Russian Revolutions) to wars (the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War) to social movements (feminism, anti-racism). In addition, we will study longer-lasting processes that led to radical social, political and economic changes, including Enlightenment, the rise of the nation state, industrialisation, scientific and technological innovation, empire and colonisation, political violence and political extremism, and decolonisation and race. This module will not only equip you with crucial knowledge about key events and developments in modern and contemporary European history, but it will help you develop the pivotal skill to identify, examine and evaluate historical change over a period of some two hundred years from the French Revolution to the end of the Cold War. This includes the formation of crucial democratic institutions and values, none of the which were inevitable and many of which are under threat today. Ultimately, this module will help you understand current events in Europe such as the rise of extreme political parties and place them within longer-standing developments and historical contexts, including the rise and demise of the welfare state and globalisation.
-
HIY103C
Creu Ewrop Fodern, 1789 hyd y Presennol
Sut daeth Ewrop fodern i fodolaeth? O fflamau¿r Chwyldro Ffrengig ym 1789 i gwymp Mur Berlin ym 1989, byddwch yn cwrdd â¿r bobl y tu ôl i¿r digwyddiadau aruthrol hyn ac yn astudio¿r bydoedd yr oeddent yn byw ynddynt trwy ystod amrywiol o leisiau. Yn y modiwl hwn, rydym yn olrhain cefndir hanesyddol datblygiadau mor eithafol yn hanes gwleidyddol, cymdeithasol ac economaidd Ewrop o'r Chwyldro Ffrengig hyd heddiw. Byddwn yn ymdrin ag amrywiaeth o ddigwyddiadau `eithafol¿ a luniodd hanes Ewropeaidd modern a chyfoes o chwyldroadau (Chwyldroadau Ffrainc, 1848 a Rwsia) i ryfeloedd (Rhyfeloedd Napoleon, y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf a¿r Ail Ryfel Byd a¿r Rhyfel Oer) i fudiadau cymdeithasol (ffeministiaeth, gwrth-hiliaeth). Yn ogystal, byddwn yn astudio prosesau mwy hirhoedlog a arweiniodd at newidiadau cymdeithasol, gwleidyddol ac economaidd radical, gan gynnwys yr Oes Oleuedig, cynnydd y genedl-wladwriaeth, diwydiannu, arloesi gwyddonol a thechnolegol, ymerodraeth a gwladychu, trais gwleidyddol ac eithafiaeth wleidyddol, a dadwladychu a hil. Yn ogystal â rhoi i chi¿r wybodaeth hanfodol am ddigwyddiadau a datblygiadau allweddol mewn hanes Ewropeaidd modern a chyfoes, bydd y modiwl hwn yn eich helpu i ddatblygu'r sgìil allweddol i nodi, archwilio a gwerthuso newid hanesyddol dros gyfnod o ddau gan mlynedd, o'r Chwyldro Ffrengig hyd at ddiwedd y Rhyfel Oer. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ffurfio sefydliadau a gwerthoedd democrataidd hanfodol, nad oedd yr un ohonynt yn anochel ac mae llawer ohonynt dan fygythiad heddiw. Yn y pen draw, bydd y modiwl hwn yn eich helpu i ddeall digwyddiadau cyfredol yn Ewrop fel cynnydd pleidiau gwleidyddol eithafol a'u gosod yng nghyd-destun datblygiadau a chyd-destunau hanesyddol mwy hirdymor, gan gynnwys cynnydd a dirywiad y wladwriaeth les a globaleiddio.
-
WS-M94
From Swords to AI: War, Technology and Culture
This module examines military conflict through the dual lenses of culture and technology. Because the field is vast, our approach is organized around key questions that allow us to move across historical periods, analytical levels, and disciplinary boundaries.
We will explore how cultural values and technological innovations have shaped not only the conduct of war but also how societies understand violence, power, and leadership. Readings will range from historically grounded analyses to contemporary accounts of soldiering, allowing us to interrogate how narratives of conflict are created and sustained.
We will begin with foundational debates on war, violence, and human nature: why do humans wage war, and why societies fight the way they do? Is war primarily a cultural or political activity? Can the pursuit of peace itself give rise to war? How do societies become militarized¿and to what ends? Another central concern will be the role of technology: how has it influenced strategy, policy, and the experience of warfare? To what extent does technology determine victory in modern conflicts, and how transformative are new military technologies in practice?
Our case studies will move from the Napoleonic wars of the early nineteenth century to insurgency and drone warfare in the twenty-first, tracing continuities and ruptures along the way. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to engage critically with historical and contemporary debates on the interplay of culture, technology, and war¿and to reflect on what these debates reveal about humanity, violence, and the future of conflict.
