University of Wales, Bangor was founded in 1884 and History has been taught at Bangor ever since. It is one of the constituent institutions of the University of Wales. There are around 7700 students and 400 teaching staff. The Department of History and Welsh History is a friendly department with approximately 15 staff and about 300 students (around 50% male and 50% female). We pride ourselves on our teaching quality which is informed by our research and the attention given to individual students.

Bangor is a historic city set between the mountains of Snowdonia and the sea. The university is friendly and there is a lively student scene. The landscape is outstandingly rich in historical and archaeological monuments including megalithic tombs, Roman forts, medieval castles and the remains of the Industrial revolution. It also provides a spectacular backdrop for outdoor activities, including hill-walking, climbing and water sports. Bangor is easily accessible by road along the A55 expressway: there are direct trains to Chester, Crewe, Birmingham, London and Cardiff; Dublin is only 99 minutes away by fast ferry from Holyhead.

History, Archaeology, Heritage, Welsh History

• Our degree schemes are unusually broad, with a wide range of options. You may study a range of periods and countries, concentrate on particular periods or study largely British or largely European history.
• We have real expertise in modern and contemporary history as well as in medieval, early modern and Welsh history, archaeology and heritage.
• New degree schemes in History with Journalism, History with Film Studies and Political and Social Sciences,
• Combining Heritage, Archaeology and History provides a unique and innovative way to study the past.
• A revised syllabus in Archaeology offers a wider range of courses.
• The local area is steeped in history and there are expanding opportunities for archaeological fieldwork.
• If you have a particular interest in Welsh History we are the natural place to study – we cover every period of the Welsh past.
• The Department has an excellent teaching reputation and combines the use of new technologies with small group teaching and personal attention.
• We recognise the importance of transferable skills including IT, oral presentations and writing skills.

History V100 History with Archaeology V1V4

History-Welsh History V V12 Heritage, Archaeology & History V V41

Medieval & Early Modern History V130 Welsh History and Archaeology V1VK

Modern and Contemporary History V140 Political and Social Sciences LL32

History with Journalism V1P5 History with Film Studies V1W6

A wide range of joint honours degrees are also available.

Year 1

You will study a variety of courses designed to give you a basic grounding in different aspects of History and the study of the past. You may also sample other academic subjects. The first year is also designed to help you to acquire the skills of research, analysis, argument and presentation which is vital for your success in years 2 and 3.

In Year 1 your assessment is by a combination of 70% examination and 30% coursework.

• Apocalypse Then: the crisis of the 14^th century
• The Birth of Modern Europe, 1470-1560
• War, Society and the Media in the 20^th century
• Contemporary Political Issues
• The Age of the Welsh Princes 1137-1420
• Wales and Europe in the 19^th and 20^th centuries
• An Introduction to Archaeological Principles and Techniques
• An Introduction to British Prehistory
• An Introduction to Historic Archaeology: Roman and Medieval Britain
• Introduction to History and Heritage

Year 2

In your second (and third) year you choose from different kinds of course designed to expand your knowledge, to deepen your understanding and to continue to develop your skills in the study of the past.

• Perceptions of the Past

General modules are designed to give you an understanding of a broad expanse of history

• Viking and Norman Britain
• Europe in the Late Middle Ages
• Tudor England 1470-1620
• Wales 1660-1789
• Revolutions and Restorations: Britain 1618-1715
• Dictatorship and Democracy: Europe since 1914
• Britain 1914-45
• Britain since 1945

Topic Modules will enable to study a subject or theme in greater depth.

• The making of Christian England 597-754
• The Celtic peoples and the Anglo-French World 1100-1400
• Medieval Political Thought
• The Crusades from their origins to 1204
• English Social History 1500-1700
• Royal Propaganda, Politics and the public in England, 1509-1684
• Wales, England and Europe during the Renaissance
• The Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Europe 1640-1770
• Women, Society and Politics in Britain 1890-1990
• European Communism since 1917
• The Nazi State
• The Origins and Development of New Labour
• Power and Authority in the Modern City: Britain and the USA since 1945
• Contemporary Wales
• A full range of options in Archaeology and Heritage

Optional Workplace Module at an archives office, museum, archaeological unit or heritage site.

Year 3

In your third year you take further General and Topic Modules, undertake a Special Subject and research and write a Dissertation on a subject of your choice.

Special Subjects concentrate on a particular aspect of the past studied in detail through the contemporary source material.

• The Norman Impact on Wales 1070-1200
• Ideas of Church and State 1294-1356
• The English Town 1500-1700
• Law and Society in Wales, 1558-1640
• ‘Ruled by and Orange’ Britain under William III
• Poverty, Society and the State in Modern Britain
• The Popular Press and British Politics from Northcliffe to Blair

NB. These modules are subject to change. A full list will be found on our website.

Department of History and Welsh History,

University of Wales,

Bangor,

Gwynedd,

LL57 2DG.

Tel: 01248 383815 / 382144