Course overview

This unique programme brings to the fore an issue which lies at the heart of historical study. The history of war is a history of ourselves; an opportunity to explore culture, politics and society in changing periods and contexts.

Our MA covers key historical episodes and case studies, examining the impact of war on shaping nationhood, identity, class, gender and citizenship in European societies. It offers motivated and able students the opportunity to work with historians in their key area of expertise.

At present our historians offer specialisms including the French Revolution, the First and Second World Wars, warfare in the early modern world, the visual history of war, the history of genocide and the history of war and memory. This course is taught by one of the best history teams in the country, at present rated fifth in the National Survey of Student Satisfaction.

Why should I take this MA?

This MA provides world class training which would support and develop careers in teaching, policy and journalism.

It also offers a superb foundation for PhD study. The School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies offers its own scholarship funding for PhD research.

Perhaps most importantly, this MA provides a space for driven students to expand their knowledge and develop their historical interests in the history of war.

Why History at Portsmouth?

Portsmouth has a rich history at the centre of British military activity and provides the perfect backdrop for this MA programme. The University has close links with local heritage sites like the Royal Navy Museum, the D-Day Museum and the Royal Marines Museum, and students will have the opportunity to explore these exciting local collections.

The University of Portsmouth has a strong track record of research excellence. All of our history staff are active researchers and are committed to bringing their expertise into their teaching. You will be given the opportunity to work at every stage with scholars who are leaders in their field.

At Portsmouth we are deeply committed to the personal and professional development of our students. You will be given personalised support at every stage of your degree.

You will benefit from access to first-class library and IT facilities and a friendly and supportive research atmosphere in the School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies.

How do I apply?

Please contact the Humanities Admissions Centre (contact details below) for an application pack and details of fees or to arrange an informal discussion with the course leader. As the support base for all our students, the Admissions Centre is happy to help you with your enquiry, through to completion of application forms and offer. For an informal chat about the programme please email Katy Gibbons (katy.gibbons@port.ac.uk).

Course content

War lies at the heart of culture, politics and society during early modern and modern periods. This new MA covers key historical episodes to explore the impact that war had on shaping nationhood, identity, class, gender and citizenship in European societies. You will consider the role war played in the formation of the modern state, how war and imperialism triumphed, values such as duty and self-sacrifice, and the impact that ‘total war’ had upon twentieth-century society.

Alongside offering a systematic understanding of the changing impact that war had on society, you will investigate the cultural production of war through a variety of mediums such as literature, art, film and the media. For example, themes covered include how literature reflected and helped fuel invasion fears in Britain during the nineteenth century and how differing forms of art reflected the anxieties of a war-torn society.

During your studies you will also have the opportunity to use two key war archives recently purchased by the University. Mass Observation Online offers revolutionary access to one of the most important archives for the study of Britain during the Second World War. Sources include diaries, surveys, photographs and eye-witness reports of post-blitz cities. The second archival collection is Women, War and Society, a First World War collection from the Imperial War Museum. This is a ground-breaking archive comprising press cuttings, minutes and correspondence. Both of these online archives are mixed media collections and fully text searchable.

You will also have a range of specialist options to choose from and receive full research management and training, allowing you to write a dissertation on any war and society related theme.

The course units currently offered are:

• Introduction to War and Society, 1500–1945
• Humanities Research Skills
• War, Culture and Leisure, c. 1850–1960s
• Dissertation / Major Project
• EITHER Conflicts in Context OR Independent Project: Humanities

Course Units

Introduction to War and Society

Focusing on a defined aspect of early modern or modern European history, this core unit will discusses major historiographical debates in the light of primary sources. Through critical engagement with scholarly debates, conceptual frameworks and a variety of written and visual historical and cultural artefacts, students will explore the complex nature of historical interpretation. Seminars/workshops, independent research as well as individual consultations will all facilitate the development of students’ intellectual skills as well as enable students to develop their studies to the appropriate postgraduate level.

History Research Skills

This core unit guides students to the expected level of skills and qualities needed for postgraduate work. It introduces them to advanced communication and research skills required on postgraduate level and beyond via a progressive series of assessments.

War , Culture and Leisure, c.1860s-1960s

This core unit will examine the interrelation between war and its representation in various cultural forms from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. In analysing this relationship we will draw upon a diverse range of sources, artefacts, and institutions from across the period. These will include nineteenth-century music hall entertainment, popular literature, painting, architecture and memorial heritage, films, photography, newspapers and political manifestos. Through a focus on these representative cultural forms students will explore the dynamic ways in which war influences culture but also the ways in which culture reflects the changing nature of warfare.

Conflicts in Context 

Focusing on a defined aspect of early modern or modern European history, this optional unit will discusses major historiographical debates in the light of primary sources. Through critical engagement with scholarly debates, conceptual frameworks and a variety of written and visual historical and cultural artefacts, students will explore the complex nature of historical interpretation. Seminars/workshops, independent research as well as individual consultations will all facilitate the development of students’ intellectual skills as well as enable students to develop their studies to the appropriate postgraduate level.

Independent Study

This optional unit allows students to develop and carry out an independent research project which may result in a traditional critical essay or take other forms: exhibition report or part of an exhibition, field study or archival report, photographic essay. The precise nature of the artefact will be equivalent to a 5,000 word critical essay and must be agreed with the unit coordinator and personal supervisor. The project will be particularly attractive for those wishing to develop interests outside of but relevant to the curriculum on taught units. The project must fall within the research expertise of current staff. Students will be assigned a project supervisor who will be available for email and one-to-one tutorials. This option is very flexible as to tutor contact and may therefore be particularly attractive for students studying in part-time mode or students suffering from time constraints.

Dissertation/Major Project

This core unit is designed to enable students to design and complete an extended advanced study which has clear and specific aims and intentions informed by current issues or insights linked to war, culture and society within the discipline of History. It will be necessary for students to undertake significant personal, independent research using a range of well justified and appropriately applied methods dependent upon the aims and focus of the dissertation project. Support will be provided by an appropriate supervisor throughout the exercise.

How will I be taught and assessed?

You will experience a blend of seminar-based teaching and tutorial project support, based on meeting a tutor individually or in groups of two or three. Seminars will take place one evening a week, generally in two, two-hour sessions. Tutorials are arranged by mutual convenience and support can also be given by email. You will be given comprehensive materials for the seminars, including prepared readings necessary for participation in discussions.

As with any course of study, the MA History of War, Culture and Society will require a significant commitment of time outside formal teaching hours, for reading, preparation and assessment. You will also be expected to produce two or three significant pieces of work for each of the three taught seminar units, along with two project reports and your final dissertation, which itself will be in the region of 15,000 words.

Like all Master’s degrees, especially if taken full time, the MA is a demanding course, but you will have plenty of support and guidance, given by telephone and email, to help you meet your goals.

Career prospects

Portsmouth has a solid reputation for graduate employability and our concern with your development is maintained throughout, with sessions emphasising the transferability of the advanced skills you will develop on the course. In addition to providing further evidence of professional commitment, for those already in educational  or other professions, the intensive training in research and analysis of texts, management of large volumes of information and cogent expression of complex, analytical arguments will provide qualities valued in a wide range of professional environments.

Facilities and features

The University Library is located in Ravelin Park, a short walk from the Milldam campus. It opens from 8am to midnight, seven days a week in term-time (with reduced hours during vacations). With more than 600,000 volumes of printed materials, multimedia collections and access to more than 16,000 online journals, the Library contains an  extensive collection of resources, covering all major periods and aspects of historical study, criticism and theory. You will also be eligible to join the SCONUL Access scheme,  which is a cooperative venture between higher education libraries that makes it easier for students to use academic libraries nearer to home or work.

You will have dedicated administrative support as well as access to computer facilities located in the University Library and in other University buildings.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA History of War, Culture and Society are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk