Environmental History

Course Description

The M.Phil. in Environmental History offers an advanced qualification to graduates in History, Political Science, History of Ideas, Cultural Studies or similar. This course gives students a firm understanding of the interplay of, and feedbacks between, nature and culture over time. The taught full- or part-time degree has a strong methodological focus, including training in digital humanities technologies, mixed (quantitative-qualitative) methods and innovative assessment design, supplemented by an optional self-financed field trip to Iceland. The purpose of this M.Phil. programme is to train students in methods and themes that are directly relevant to the professional workplace at a time when there is an increasing awareness of the need to include the competencies and insights of the humanities in understanding and addressing environmental issues, not least climate change. Training in critical thinking and mixed methods research skills will open up students' career perspectives in the public sector, media, private consultancies and NGOs, as well as being an excellent entry point for doctoral studies.

Course organisation:
1. Environmental history modules (40 credits)

2. Option modules offered by the School of Histories and Humanities or the School of Natural Sciences (20 credits)

3. Individual research project (30 credits), consisting of a) 15,000-20,000 word dissertation or b) a combination of an extended research paper of 10,000-12,000 words (70%) and a digital output, e.g. database or map (30%)

4. Optional field-trip module including a preparatory workshop and field-trip to Iceland (10 credits)

Relevant preparatory courses include NFQ level 8-degree courses in the Humanities (History, Political Science, History of Ideas, Cultural Studies or similar) and the Natural Sciences (Environmental Sciences, Geography, Ecology, Biology or similar). Applicants should normally have at least an upper second class (2.1) Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent (for example, GPA of 3.3) in a relevant discipline or specialisation.

Closing Date: 31st March 2023

Assessment: Modules will be assessed by a mix of presentations (pass/fail) and marked written assignments ranging in format from essays to archival and library exercises, seminar reports, digital content creation (e.g. GIS maps) and historical case studies. There will be no written examinations.

1 year full-time (EU and non-EU students), 2 years part-time (EU/UK/EEA students only)

Next Intake September 2020
Closing Date 31st May 2020