On the BA History and Sociology, students are encouraged to explore the ways in which the two disciplines influence and inform one another.
As students of history, they discover both the early modern and modern periods, and explore challenging questions concerning the impact of political, social and cultural change on individuals, social groups, and regions.
As sociologists, they investigate what connects people with each other, as well as what divides them. People consider every aspect of their daily lives, from how they relate to politicians, celebrities and friends, to how they define themselves, their families, and others. Students study topics ranging from digital media and society, to psychiatry and mental illness, to Japanese culture, to the art, film and personal testimony of war.
Students have the opportunity to choose modules from a wide range of specializations, including:
- Colonialism and the British Empire
- Urban life in Germany
- Social divisions, inequality, the nature of work and commercial culture
- Culture, identity and subjectivity
- Citizenship, multiculturalism and human rights
The Department of History has developed a strong research and teaching profile, with the majority of its research rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014). They also have strong links with the Essex Record Office, which is one of the best county record offices in the UK.
The Department of Sociology is Top 10 in the UK for research quality (REF 2014) and the majority of its research is rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. It is also ranked among the top 50 departments in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020)
