BA Landscape History

Please note: This course replaces the BA History with Landscape Archaeology from 2013 entry.

Why does the landscape look the way that it does today? How was it different in the past? What can changes over time in the physical environment tell us about the way people interacted with and thought about the world around them? Landscape history – the study of all aspects of the historic environment – seeks to answer these and other questions.

What is Landscape History?

Through the study of maps, documents, aerial photographs and, most importantly, the landscape itself, we can shed new light on many important debates in history, and learn to recognise and understand the many traces of the past which survive all around us.

Landscape history is a wide-ranging subject which takes a broader chronological perspective view than most varieties of history. As well as using traditional historical methods, it also shares many of the approaches employed in geography, archaeology, art history and historical ecology. This course will teach you how to understand the development of the landscape through the use of maps and documents but you will also learn how to survey and interpret archaeological sites, how to unravel the physical development of ancient churches and houses, and how to read the historical significance of trees and hedges, field patterns, parks and gardens, and the morphology of towns and villages.

The Landscape History degree provides an opportunity to study the development of the landscape from prehistory to the present day. Modules in Year 1 and 2 offer an introduction to a wide range of historical periods and debates and allow you to combine landscape history with other aspects of medieval, early modern and modern history subjects. In Year 3 you will specialise entirely in landscape history and have the opportunity to carry out fieldwork, work placements and research projects. Teaching is through a combination of lectures, seminars and field trips.

Course Structure Year 1

You will take a range of introductory modules within the School of History.

Year 2

During this year you will take six modules. There are four compulsory and you can choose two optional ones. You will learn about the general development of the English landscape from prehistoric times up until the sixteenth century, focusing on the legacy of prehistoric and Roman societies, the changing character of castles, parks, parish churches, the development of towns and villages, and the formation and management of fields, marshes, moors, heaths and ancient woods.

Year 3

Your final year is built around the Landscape Special Subject, a year-long course covering the development of the British landscape since 1500, and focusing on such matters as country houses and their grounds, enclosure and the changing rural environment, and the industrialisation of Britain. Alongside this you will take two further modules, chosen out of three. You may write a dissertation, based on original research; undertake a week’s training in the field, learning how to plan and interpret an archaeological site; or go on a work placement with a leading heritage organisation. In recent years students have worked with the National Trust, Norwich Castle Museum and the Peak District National Park Authority.

Assessment

Key skills, issues and ideas are introduced in lectures given by all members of faculty. More specialist study is undertaken in small group seminars. These are chosen from a range offered within the School and across the University. You will also spend time studying and researching in the library or carrying out practical work or projects. In most subject areas, you are assessed at the end of each year on the basis of coursework and, in some cases, project and examination results. In your final year, you will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice and with the advice of tutors. There is no final examination. Your final degree result is determined by the marks you receive in years two and three.

Course Organiser:Dr. Margit Thofner

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Entry Requirements Qualification: BA (Hons) A Level: AAB including B in History International Baccalaureate: 33 points including 5 in Higher Level History Scottish Highers: At least one Advanced Higher preferred in addition to Highers Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB including Grade B in History Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB including grade B in History Access Course: Please contact the university for further information HND: Please contact the university for further information European Baccalaureate: 80% including History Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with an academic on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.

We also welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements Applicants are required to have a grade B or above in A Level History (or equivalent qualification). Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

History is one of the most intellectually and challenging forms of training. Through the study of documents, their interpretation and interpretors, we have a chance to view both past achievements and failures, and establish some patterns and meaning. Through History we have an insight into past civilisations and cultures which were both similar and different from our own. At the University of East Anglia we use a wide range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Students benefit from the existence of an active research-led culture amongst staff, many prominent visiting speakers and international links within the School.

The School was founded in 1994 when historians from three of the university's interdisciplinary Schools came together out of a belief that a School of History could provide a better focus for historical activity at the University of East Anglia. Since then we have gone from strength to strength and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 90 per cent of our research was classified as being of international importance or better. We concentrate on British and European history from the medieval to the contemporary period, which allows us to offer a very wide degree of choice within these areas to our students.

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of History undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students.