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4. History

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Arts

• Code

  Subject available through multiple programmes

• Subject Title

  History

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  3 Years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BA (Hons)

• Fees

  Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,130 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  Refer to CK101 and CK108 See Requirements for full details.

• 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:

All modules are 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

Year 1 Modules

• HI1002 Modern Ireland: Culture, Politics and Society 
• HI1003 East and West: The Origins of European Identity

Plus 5 credits from the following:

• HI1005 Pilgrims and Crusaders
• Hi1006 US History since 1865
• HI1007 Anti-Semitism in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Holocaust
• HI1012 Women in Europe since 1800
• HI1013 The British Empire and the Making of our Globalised World 

Year 2 Modules

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. You can find out more information at the School of History. Core modules include:

• The Global Renaissance 1300-1600
• From Reformation to Enlightenment: Europe and the Wider World I
• The Long Nineteenth-century: Europe, Ireland, and the Wider World II

You will also take the Case Study in Research Skills and choose from a wide range of option courses.

Year 3 Modules

Most students must take two mandatory courses:

• Historical Debate 
• Seminar

In addition, a wide range of options gives you the freedom to shape your final year's work to suit your individual interests.

See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further information on 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. See the School of History.

• 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, examination, presentation, project work, dissertation writing, book reviews, document analysis and a variety of online methods, including discussion groups, wikis. Other methods are under development.

All our assessment methods provide you with the opportunity to display your knowledge and 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 are able to 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.

You can find out more in the staff section of our website.

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.

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

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 own research.

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

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, 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, 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. You can find out more here.

Skills and Careers Information

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.

Fees and Costs

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. In 2021/22 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €130.

How Do I Apply

Refer to CK101 and CK108. First year students choose Arts subjects when registering.