ObjectivesThe MA in Politics and Contemporary History has been running for many years and attracts applicants of exceptional quality from the UK and abroad. This interdisciplinary course is explicitly historical in scope, having particular focus on those things within living memory. It reflects the vast upsurge of interest in contemporary history following the end of the Cold War and the attendant opening of much of the hidden history of the 20th century. The course will address contending approaches to recent events which have shaped your own life and the lives of those immediately around you. Areas of special interest include: United States foreign and security policy Modern War in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Guerrilla War, Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict Intelligence and National Security Neutrality and Non-alignment Modern Russia, especially imperial, diplomacy and war Contemporary British Political History Cold War History Art and Politics Anglo-American Relations Religion and Conflict in the Middle East Modern German history including the Holocaust Labour and Urban history, especially in Britain and Europe Women`s history 20th Century Chinese History 20th Century American History Film history South East Asia, especially social movements Communism and Fascism
Academic titleMA in Politics and Contemporary History
Course descriptionPolitics and Contemporary History (MA)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Key facts
The University of Nottingham boasts one of the highest concentrations of research expertise in contemporary history in the UK. The School of Politics has eight members of staff engaged in contemporary historical research and further expertise is found in the schools of American and Canadian Studies, History, the department of Theology and the Institute for Contemporary Chinese Studies.
The School of Politics was rated 24/24 for its teaching by the Quality Assurance Agency and ranked in the top ten of UK departments a recent Guardian Education guide.
Course Content
The unique structure of the MA in Politics and Contemporary History degree allows you to choose from a wide range of modules offered by the School as well as those offered by other Schools within the university to reflect your personal interests.
You will be required to take a minimum of 60 credits’ worth of modules offered by the School of Politics and International Relations, together with the dissertation which is undertaken during the summer.
Example of module offered by the School include:
Terror and Counter Terrorism
Ethnic Conflict and Counter Resolution
Understanding New Labour
Art & War
War, Peace and Terror
Negotiation and Bargaining
Justice Beyond Borders
Controversies in European Politics
Air Power and Modern Conflict
Non-Governmental Organisations
Narcoterrorism Drugs, States & Security
Global Development
Globalisation and Its Discontents
The remaining 60 credits may be accumulated from a list of modules offered by other Schools and Departments, with certain courses being especially recommended.
Please note that modules may change to keep abreast of political and academic developments.
Your studies will culminate in the research and writing of a substantive dissertation within the field of politics and contemporary history. The dissertation should be 16,000 words in length and must contain a strong research element.
You will register your dissertation on a subject of your choice and will be allocated with a Research Supervisor to oversee your progress.
Course Structure
The MA in Politics and Contemporary History can be studied on a full-time basis over 1 year or part-time over 2 years.
Teaching is spread across two semesters: Autumn, which begins in September and ends in January, and Spring, which begins in January and ends in June. The summer months between June and September are spent writing a dissertation.
The MA consists of 180 credits - 120 credits from modular taught study and 60 credits from the completion of a dissertation of around 15,000 words in length.
Assessment is typically by a mixture of coursework and examination, both of which will usually be assessed in the Semester in which the module is taught.
Modules are offered usually as 20 or 15 credit versions.