Open University

BA (Honours) in History and Politics

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• At Stage 1 you’ll study two compulsory modules that will introduce you to a broad range of subjects in the arts and humanities and social sciences.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study two further compulsory modules, one in history and one in politics.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study two modules, choosing one period in history and one aspect of politics to study.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Discovering the Arts and Humanities (A111)
• Global Challenges: Social Science in Action (D113)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Understanding Politics: Ideas and Institutions in the Modern World (DD211)
• The British Isles and the Modern World, 1789–1914 (A225)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You’ll choose one from:

• Empires: Power, Resistance, Legacies (A328)
• Europe 1914-1989: War, Peace, Modernity (A327)
• The Making of Welsh History (A329)

You’ll also choose one from:

• International Relations: Continuity and Change in Global Politics (DD313)
• Modern Political Ideas (DD316)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• Patterns of conflict and cooperation, order and disorder in the international system, including questions of war, security, international cooperation, and governance, and contending ideas about their potential and sources
• Historical development of the state system and the international economy, and debates in economics and politics around their growth, change, and transformation
• History is a systematic and reflective discipline producing bodies of knowledge about the past, subject to controversy and debate
• Aspects of global politics and history drawn from the period since 1750.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Define and use key concepts, abstract models, and theories from politics and history, as well as related areas of international relations, development, and economics, to study historical and contemporary societal processes and outcomes
• Analyse complex issues in global history and politics, and synthesise and critically evaluate different kinds of evidence from a variety of sources to develop detailed, reasoned arguments
• Critically compare and evaluate competing ideas, arguments, theories, and approaches used in historical and political analysis.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

• Confidently select, summarise, and synthesise information from a range of materials and sources, and interpret, read, and record/note appropriately
• Express and present complex ideas succinctly and clearly in written form in a coherent and organised manner to develop a logical, substantiated, and sustained argument, with sources referenced appropriately
• Perform basic numerical operations and interpret basic descriptive statistics in tables, graphs, and diagrams, showing awareness of the range of interpretations they might be used to support
• Independently search for, access, critically evaluate, and prepare information from a range of sources, including using a range of ICT applications and tools
• Identify and use sources of support and feedback to reflect upon your learning.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Work without constant direction, in a variety of settings, to assess tasks and make plans across a programme of work, and be able to reflect on, plan, and use your time strategically to fulfil those tasks
• Work independently and in collaboration with others, demonstrating effective communication and adaptability
• Make informed, reasoned choices and judgments applicable to a wide range of situations based on an understanding of historical and political issues
• Carry out independent research using concepts, models, theories, and evidence to address a question or problem about historical development or political controversy.

Skills for career development

Studying history and politics will provide you with an adaptable set of skills that can lead in many directions and are greatly valued by employers. Beyond subject knowledge, these include critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and communication. You’ll sharpen your IT, writing, independent thinking and information auditing skills, as well as develop an ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information when constructing an argument for a variety of audiences. These are key skills in complex organisations and independent endeavours, and are highly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering, starting, changing or looking to progress your career.

Career relevance

Studying history and politics requires and fosters an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural and political environments and historical contexts. The breadth of study and range of ideas and objects analysed, combined with clear thinking and communication, make the BA (Hons) in History and Politics relevant to a wide range of careers, including:

• Education
• Public administration, central and local government, the civil and diplomatic service, art and museum institutions, and social services
• Advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries, and public relations
• Legal work
• Business, banking, and retail
• Human resources
• Charities and campaigning.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.