MA Modern History

Liverpool John Moores University

This innovative MA in Modern History thinks about how the past is "applied" in the modern world.

• Gain a deeper understanding of history
• Undertake intensive work with archival material
• Learn from academics at the cutting edge of their discipline
• Master the skills of research, analysis, argument and writing

History at LJMU is consistently rated highly by our students and graduates. Indeed our History degree was named 9th best in the 2020 Guardian University league Table. Embarking on this course you will join a vibrant postgraduate community within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, be taught by research active teaching staff and study modules including: Second World War film and cinema, modern internationalism and slavery in Liverpool.

While firmly rooted in research-led scholarship, the programme also explores how societies use history, providing an understanding of the ways in which historians can take their skills and apply them beyond the university environment.

The course reflects the team's varied and wide-ranging interests, facilitating a varied range of study, often in new and innovative fields. Our modules cross national borders and historical approaches, encountering a rich array of primary source materials from newspapers and magazines, film, the ephemeral, through to statistics and propaganda.

History students at LJMU get involved in a wide range of activities over and above their studies to broaden their skills, knowledge and love of their subject. To help commemorate the 75th anniversary of the the end of the Second World War, representatives of the History department worked with National Trust Formby and Drama at LJMU to create a walking tour around the sand dunes and Formby Point. The dramatisation told the story of the hundreds of children who were evacuated to places like Formby during the Blitz.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

There will be a variety of assessments spread across modules, including in-class presentations, posters, critical reflections and portfolios. The most common piece of assessment will be the extended essay, allowing you to develop advanced techniques of reading, research, writing and presentation.

The course concludes with your completion of a major piece of coursework: a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice.