Photograph by Dennis G. Jarvis
At a glance
A course where students investigate the pre-modern world (c. 400 - 1750CE) based on the analysis and interpretation of artefacts, remains, ruins and written texts. Students study how pre modern history illustrates the development of some of the distinctive features of contemporary societies (for example: social organisation, culture, systems of law, governance and religion).
This course is a good choice for students who:
- enjoy history, the medieval world and big questions about warfare, intrigue, people and power
- like research, analysing sources, and building evidence-based arguments
- want strong writing, critical thinking and discussion skills
About this course
Pre modern history stimulates students’ curiosity and imagination and enriches their appreciation of humanity and the value of the past. It shows how the world and its people have changed, as well as the significant legacies that exist into the present. Students investigate the transformation of the world from ancient societies to the early forms of nation states, as well as key people and events. They explore how power, beliefs and social structures shaped the pre-modern world. Assessment usually includes research tasks, source analysis and extended responses (such as essays or presentations).
Pathways
This course can support pathways into areas such as:
- history, archaeology and heritage
- law, politics and international studies
- education, humanities and social sciences
- any pathway that values research, critical thinking and clear writing
Units in this course
Students complete 2 units for a Minor or 4 units for a Major.
Transformation
The unit provides an introduction to the pre modern world. It looks at the factors that transformed societies in this period. It also explores the problematic and contestable nature of the evidence that has survived; both written and archaeological.
Students will:
- analyse how the fragmented nature of the evidence requires students to develop techniques for analysing historical silences.
- investigate the contested nature of interpretations and representations of this evidence.
Golden Ages
This unit examines the role of individuals and personalities in historical causation and compares this to social structural theories.
Students will:
- examine the notion of a Golden Age, and the role of a great people within that age, with particular reference to political, economic, social, artistic and cultural developments.
- analyse the extent to which peoples benefit from ‘Golden Ages’ and how perceptions of these eras can vary.
Conflict
This unit examines the interaction of societies in the pre modern period and the impact that they have on one another via differing perspectives on the same events.
Students will:
- interrogate different perspectives through source material and examine origin, purpose, value and limitation.
- investigate archaeological sources and develop techniques for interpreting and understanding historical material other than the written word.
Power
This unit examines the nature and exercise of power and authority in pre modern societies.
Students will:
- analyse how power structures in pre-modern societies were developed and maintained, to understand their varied and complex nature.
- engage with scholarly and historiographical debate, drawing upon a number of theories of historical understanding.