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4. History

Course Fact File

Code	Subject available through multiple programmes
Subject Title	History
Duration	3 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	BA (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8
CAO Points	Refer to CK101 and CK108.

Course Outline

History at UCC provides an exciting exploration of the past, tracing historical developments from medieval times to the present with special reference to their European, Irish and North American contexts. The course can be taken as part of the BA or the BA International.

Join us - explore the past, understand the present and shape the future.  Study and interpret the past and you will discover evidence, solve problems and gain fresh perspectives.  Our world is a product of historical forces.  We specialise in Irish, European, American, Asian and World History including International Relations and European Studies.  You can choose from a variety of specialist options ranging in time from the pre-Viking period to the present;  in place from Europe to Asia and the Americas; and in theme from economic development and international relations to ideologies, cultures, social structures, politics and religion.

You will learn the basic skills of a historian and have access to a broad choice of specialist studies, as well as gaining a range of sought-after transferable skills and attributes.

You will learn about various types of history – social and economic history, modern diplomacy, political ideologies, the history of law, art, religion, women, government, business and much else besides.

The History course is taken over three years. History can be taken as a single honours degree, as joint honours or as a major or minor option in conjunction with other subjects. You can choose the credit weighting that suits your interests and learning objectives.

Modules

Year 1

• HI1003 East and West: The Origins of European Identity (5 credits)
• HI1015 The Craft of History (5 credits)

Plus 5 credits from the following:

• HI1002 Modern Ireland: Culture, Politics and Society (5 credits)
• HI1006 US History since 1865 (5 credits)
• HI1007 Anti-Semitism in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Holocaust (5 credits)
• HI1012 Women in Europe since 1800 (5 credits)
• HI1014 Aspects of the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1440-1833 (5 credits)

Year 2

Combinations of modules will depend on whether your registration is for single or joint honours, or History as a major or minor component of your degree. Core modules include:

• HI2105 Case Studies in Research Skills and Historiography (5 credits)
• HI2110 Sex, Gender, and Power in History (5 credits)

You will also choose from a wide range of option courses. 

Year 3

Most students take two mandatory courses on Historical Debate and History Research Seminar (10 credits). See our current module options including your elective module options in the Academic Programme Catalogue Programme Requirements page.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Teaching takes place in lectures and seminars, through small group work, and by use of project and dissertation research. The school is increasing its use of online learning.

The contact hours, lectures, seminars and research required will vary considerably depending on your registration. 

• Year 1: A minimum of two hours of History lectures each week in both the first and second semesters.
• Year 2: Beyond the core and option modules, a key feature of Year 2 History is the Case Study in Research Skills. You will be offered an extensive menu of case studies related to staff research specialisms. These include Medieval, Early Modern and Modern History concerning different areas of the world.
• Year 3: You can continue to tailor your options to suit your interests. You will also participate in a seminar and have the opportunity to write an extended piece of research in the form of a dissertation.

Additional costs may include €150 per year for books plus extra payments for field trips as part of some modules. 

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in April/May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, examinations, presentations, project work, dissertation writing, book reviews, document analysis and a variety of online methods, including discussion groups, and wikis. All our assessment methods provide you with the opportunity to display your knowledge skills and attributes in different ways. 

Who teaches this course

As an undergraduate, you will be taught by academics who are deeply committed as teachers, as researchers, and as communicators of knowledge through writing books and learned articles. We are leaders in our respective fields and can use our knowledge and research skills - gained from our work in archives and the study of primary sources -- to guide your learning in lectures, seminars, and tutorials, and in producing written work.

Why Choose This Course

The School of History trains you to gather and interpret information and evidence to develop an informed and critical understanding of the world.

You will learn how to analyse available data and interrogate different points of view, skills vital for historians and essential for any citizen. You will gain life and work skills that will help you to make a valuable contribution in the academic arena, in the workplace or in the local community and the wider world.

The School of History will teach you a balanced appreciation of the genesis of your society within a wide range of contexts whether local, regional, national or international. Our teaching uses themes and structures, arguments, interpretations and analysis – emphasising comparative approaches wherever appropriate.

You can learn about various types of history with all teaching based on the specialist knowledge gained by our highly qualified academic staff through their research.

Lectures are supplemented by smaller group tutorials where you can develop and display your own analytical talents, both in discussions and in writing.

See our School of History page for more information on Why History @ UCC.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Study abroad

Embrace and appreciate the world. History, through the BA International, enables study in partner institutions in Europe, Asia, and North/South America for at least one semester. This rewarding experience will enhance your versatility and appreciation of other societies/cultures. UCC will launch you into a wide world of possibilities. If you are studying through BA International, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities abroad. We have links with universities in Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden Mexico, and the USA.

Work placement

History offers you the opportunity to combine study with relevant work experience. Choosing a work placement guarantees enrichment and empowerment. You are trained before departing for placement, mentored while there and you reflect on your skills and build your CV on return.

If you study through the BA or the BA International, you will have the opportunity to avail of a work placement in Year 2.

Skills and Careers Information

Our UCC history graduates have a good employment record and many have been successful in both the public and private sectors, at home and abroad.

As you will acquire an enquiring mind, strong compositional skills, and attention to detail, a wide variety of careers are obtainable, for example:  Education, Research and Teaching, Heritage Management and Tourism, Publishing and Editorial, Public Service, Journalism/Media, Public Relations, Libraries, Archives and Museums, Academic, Management/Consultancy, European Union, International Agencies.

In general, our graduates and postgraduates develop the adaptability and flexibility of mind necessary to survive and prosper in today’s challenging world with global employment opportunities.

We aim to develop a range of skills and attributes beyond those exclusively associated with history including:

• writing and communication skills
• research, investigation and argument construction
• presentation and software skills
• personal attributes including: flexibility, adaptability, initiative, motivation
• self-management
• time management and meeting deadlines
• project management
• team-work
• problem-solving
• ICT skills
• information management
• citation skills

Requirements

Refer to CK101 and CK108.

It is not a requirement for you to have previously studied history before becoming a student here. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Refer to CK101 and CK108.