Keele Badge

HIS-10048 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

HIS-10048 - Modern History: From the Industrial Revolution to the Global Pandemic
Coordinator: Aristotle Kallis Tel: +44 1782 7 34145
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

As you encounter key ideas, individuals and events in modern history around the world, you will discover how societies changed over time and across place from c.1750 to the present. You will develop fundamental skills including communicating to academic and non-academic audiences, and an awareness of core concepts in modern history. You will also encounter a wide range of primary sources and learn how to analyse them effectively in preparation for your next two years of study.

Aims
The module introduces first-year students to the study of some of the most significant developments of modern history. It covers political, religious, intellectual and economic themes from a global perspective. It aims to advance students’ historical understanding by enabling them to appreciate continuity and change from the period of industrialisation onwards; to relate evidence and case studies to broader themes; and to evaluate critically conflicting historical explanations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify key themes from lectures and consolidate these ideas through reading and discussion: 1,2,3
interpret key historical events and developments through primary and secondary source analyses: 1,2,3
analyse and assess key historical ideas and concepts, as part of general debate and in group presentations: 2
communicate clearly and effectively, as part of three assessments (journalistic piece, essay and group presentation): 1,2,3

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
12 lectures (2 hours each): 24
12 seminars (1 hour each): 12
6 whole cohort workshops: 6
1 Field Trip: 6
Independent study:
24 hours lecture consolidation: 24
36 hours seminar preparation: 36
6 hours workshop preparation: 6
34 hours essay preparation: 34
17 hours group presentation preparation: 17
17 hours journalistic piece preparation: 17
45 hours essay writing: 45
25 hours writing of journalistic piece: 25
51 hours wider reading: 51

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 40%
Essay
An essay of ca. 2000 words in length. Students will have the option to choose from one of the weekly questions on any theme discussed in the module.

2: Group Assessment weighted 30%
Group Presentation
A group presentation of 15-20 minutes on one of the themes discussed in the weekly lectures/seminars/ workshops. The group, comprising 2-3 students, will be able to choose a topic related to these themes. Students will receive an individual mark. The audience will be made up of fellow students from the seminar group and the seminar tutor.

3: Exercise weighted 30%
Journalistic Piece
A newspaper article of ca. 1000 words reporting on an event in real time related to one of the subjects discussed in the weekly lectures, seminars and workshops.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025