Advanced historical studies
Time: 19:30 - 21:00
Location: Online
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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Course Code: HMI01
Duration: 13 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Consisting of 13 sessions across 12 weeks (12 evening sessions and 1 weekend session), this online course offers an opportunity to study history at an advanced level. From understanding the modern discipline of history, to modules focusing on a range different aspect of what history is and could be, this course will provide a grounding in studying history at a higher level. The course will provide an understanding of the modern discipline of history, and develop students’ historical skills and rigour through discussion and an essay.
If you have a passion for history, or if you've ever been interested in studying history at a higher level, this course could be right for you. Whether you're an avid hobby historian, or thinking about studying history for your Bachelors or Masters degree, this course offers you an introduction to history at an advanced level.
PLEASE NOTE: this course requires an application, and often sells out, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. You can find this in section 4 below.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
Through a modular approach to studying history with 13 sessions over 12 weeks (12 evening sessions and 1 weekend session), students will cover some major subjects in the contemporary discipline of history.
The modules are:
1) The Practice of History in the 21st century
2) Introduction to Global history
3) History and memory as a Democratic Practice
4) Themes in British history
5) Working on your own project.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Approach the discipline of history from a critical perspective
- Explain key aspects about the discipline of history
- Be able to read, understand, and critically examine advanced historical texts and ideas
- Analyse, express and discuss ideas and arguments in clear, analytical and engaging ways, in discussion as well as in writing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No particular historical skills are required, only a passion, interest and willingness to engage with reading, writing and discussing historical ideas and texts.
The course is open to everyone, although it will require the reading of advanced texts, the undertaking of historical project (which could be an essay, theatre manuscript, university application letter, oral history project etc.), and a willingness to present in front of a group. As such, it is generally advised that you have at least a grade B in GCSE English (or equivalent).
Those with higher level qualifications (academic or professional) are welcome.
To enrol, please respond to the questions below and email your responses by the 6th of April 2023 to course leader Martin Jorgensen at martin.jorgensen@citylit.ac.uk.
- Name?
- Email address?
- What qualifications you hold (not necessarily related to history): GSCEs, A-levels, BA/BSc, MA/MSc, PhD and/or other(s)?
- Why are you interested in our advanced history course?
- a 3-400 word commentary on what the historian can learn from the following text extract (from E.M. Collingham, 'Imperial Bodies' (London: Polity, 2001) pp.174-6):
"In the 1870s George Hunter commented that ‘ in tropical climates the daily bath has long been a regular institution, but it is only within the last few years that it has been generally practised in England. On arrival in Britain at the beginning of the First World War the young Godden sisters ‘even as children ... noticed the unwashedness of English people’s skins and clothes’. While, for the Edwardians, ‘Daily baths were by no means taken for granted’, it was common for their compatriots in India to take two baths a day whereupon they would change all their clothes. Despite the significantly greater importance placed on personal cleanliness in British India, the Anglo-Indian bathroom failed to follow the European example in that it did not develop into a private place.".
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Running over 13 sessions over 12 weeks (12 evening sessions and 1 weekend session), the course will be taught through a combination of lectures, student presentations, and class discussion. The class discussion element is especially important to this course and will play a central role in learning.
There will be reading to be completed at home every week, as well as presentations from students.
There will be an essay (or reflection form) to be completed over the course and approximately 2 - 3 hours of work to be completed outside of class each week.
The course will also involve a Saturday workshop. This will place on 10 June (also online).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be provided with a detailed reading list, which will all be shared via our virtual learning environment.
Something to make notes with will be essential: this may be a pen and paper, tablet or a laptop.
You will need to be able to use a computer to access the class resources.
This course can be paid in instalments. Please ask enrolments for details.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of history courses: check out our courses on the website for more information on these.
If considering more advanced study, tutors of this course will be able to advise on Access, BA or MA courses that you may be interested in. Access courses are available at City Lit.
Martin Ottovay Jorgensen is a historian by education (BA, MA and PhD in Denmark and Belgium). Overall, his research focuses on how forms of international cooperation were new international undertakings but also reflected deeper imperial practices that lingered on long after decolonization in various ways. As a university teacher, he has taught courses on world and global history; imperial and colonial history; the history of international organisations; peace and conflict; global issues and international relations as well as how memory is an active dimension in community-building, society, politics, international relations, conflict as well as corporate branding. Perhaps more importantly, Martin sees the active promotion of robust historical thinking as both a democratic practice of vital importance to the maintenance and continued strengthening of democracy and thus society as a whole. At City Lit, Martin combines these interests with his learner-centric approach that aims to both promote history as a socially relevant way of thinking and give each class and course a horizon beyond itself.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
