Modern European Languages and History (with Year Abroad) - BA (Hons)

Durham University

Immerse yourself in the life, language and history of a chosen modern European culture. Develop advanced language skills and in-depth historical and cultural awareness. This Joint Honours degree will allow you to further your interest in the study of a modern European language (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish) and related cultural topics alongside exploring different periods and themes of history. In Year 1 you will focus on the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening in your chosen language. In addition, you will explore aspects of the literature, film, art, history and politics of the culture you are studying. You will also study a range of History subjects, including Medieval/Early Modern History and Modern History. In Year 2 you will continue your language, culture and history studies, building on your skills and allowing you to begin to specialise in areas that interest you. Second-year History modules tend to focus more on particular periods and events, or historical debates and phenomena. You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 abroad, either as an English assistant in a school, a student at university, or on a work placement. This is a time of enormous linguistic and personal development, when you should gain fluency in your language and enjoy a unique opportunity to make new friends, appreciate other cultures and learn to work and study in new ways. You can also apply to add a placement year to your degree, increasing the course from four years to five. In Year 4 you will develop your advanced language skills, and you may be able to take a specialist language module such as translation or interpreting. You will also continue your culture and history studies, with final-year History modules encouraging you to think about how historical knowledge is produced. You will also choose your own dissertation topic in Year 4, researching and writing about either a historical issue or an aspect of culture or cultural production.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules:Languages FrenchGermanItalianRussianSpanish Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Reading French LiteratureItaly and the ArtsIntroduction to Russian History and CultureIntroduction to Hispanic Literature and CultureConnected Histories: Early Modern Europe, c.1450–1750The Atlantic Archipelago, c.1500–c.1750Power in AfricaImagining East Asia in the Modern WorldThe Rise and Fall of American Slavery, 1607–1865 Year 2 modulesCore modules:Languages FrenchGermanItalianRussianSpanish Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Mediterranean Sexualities: Cultural Stereotypes and Transcultural ExchangesSex and Identity in Germanic CulturesCatalan (Beginners)The World of DanteRenaissance and Baroque in Image and WordReading Russian LiteratureThe Book of Hours in Medieval Life and ArtThe Court: Art and Power in Early Modern EuropeThe ''Vast'' Early Modern AmericasModern China’s TransformationsThe United States and the Cold War Year 3 modulesCore modules:Study abroad The third year is spent abroad as an English assistant in a school, as a student in a university, or in employment of some kind. During the year abroad you complete a Year Abroad assignment with guidance from Durham staff.Year 4 modulesCore modules:Dissertation Your Dissertation in History allows you to pursue your own historical interests, to work independently in some depth, and to develop more advanced techniques of research, analysis and exposition.