The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment.

Compulsory

Themes in Iranian History: look at methodological problems, and questions of historiography, including source analysis, the construction of narratives and contemporary debates.

Optional

Students take three of the following modules:

• Iran and the World since 1921: looks at the development of the modern Iranian state from its inception under Reza Khan in the 1920s to the present day.
• Medieval Iran from the Sasanians to the Safavids: looks at the changing nature of Iran from the perspective of its politics, religion and culture in the period circa 200-1600.
• Two modules in the Persian language at the appropriate level.

Students may also choose a Directed Reading topic which is designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study. Depending upon other module choices this may be taken across one or both semesters. The Directed Reading topics offered will vary slightly each year depending on staff.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students.

Dissertation

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Teaching

Teaching format

The taught programme includes a compulsory module introducing students to the study of Iran, with further module options in Iranian history, politics and language.

The modules are taught through seminars, lectures and fortnightly tutorials, with class sizes ranging from individual supervision up to 12 students.

Students will spend the final three months of the course focusing on researching and writing the final assessment piece for the MLitt, a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words.

Assessment

The modules are assessed through coursework or a combination of coursework and examination.

History postgraduates go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including:

• Journalism
• Publishing
• Think tanks
• Government
• Law
• Teaching

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.