Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

This course combines social policy and its focus on wellbeing with politics and its consideration of power – who exercises it and for whom. Politics drives us to think about how society should be organised and how communities and states interact. This prompts consideration of how wellbeing is unevenly distributed in contemporary societies and the forms of social organisation necessary to enhance our lives.

Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff respond in their teaching to new research.

In the politics part of your course, you will study the politics of countries and governments and the relationships between countries, communities and individuals. Politics at Bristol is organised around three themes: political theory, comparative and national politics, and international relations.

In your social policy studies, the first year introduces key skills and concepts within social policy so that you can familiarise yourself with theoretical, comparative and historical analyses. Years two and three allow you to explore your interests in greater depth through a range of optional units.

You will also have the opportunity to spend half a year studying abroad at a partner university. Visit Global Opportunities to find out more about where you can study abroad.

This joint honours degree focuses on the place of religion in society, both in the present and in the past. The sociology aspect of the degree explores dimensions of the social world, including actions, structures, beliefs, power and representation. The course is equally weighted toward both subjects.

You will acquire a solid foundation in several religious traditions. In sociology there is particular emphasis on sociological theory and its application to real-world concerns, including issues of ethnicity, beliefs and multiculturalism. The wide-ranging, flexible curriculum offers progressive intellectual challenges and consolidates your experience throughout.

In year one you will have one mandatory unit in theology and one in sociology, together with four optional units of your choice (two from each subject).

In years two and three you will continue taking optional units in both subjects, covering a diverse range of topics, which may include Christian History and Theology; Modern Slavery; Perspectives of Power; Islam; Buddhism; Judaism; and Environment and Society. 

This program reflects the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies' expertise in research methods training. It provides comprehensive training in the whole process of research conceptualisation, design and operationalisation.

It is particularly suitable for those seeking a career as a social science researcher or going on to a PhD, including Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded doctoral study. It has been carefully formulated to reflect the training recommended by the ESRC and has been accredited as a research training program.

The program delivers a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods available to the social scientist and in the principal methods of analysing data. The program also covers the philosophies underpinning the research process, ethical considerations and social theory. You will be encouraged to apply your methods training to your substantive research interests.

Our BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures degree offers an unmatched opportunity to study international cultural production in both depth and breadth. You will study global literatures and cultures in comparative frameworks that draw on methodologies from textual, cultural and visual studies, as well as from translation, philosophy, history, social science and critical theory. Texts will be read in English translation.

Core units in years one and two currently include What is Comparative Literature and How Do We Practise It?; Introduction to Visual Cultures; Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture; Migrations of Culture. Additionally, you will have a wide choice of optional units based in the culture of a single language or a combination of cultures.

You will spend your third year in an Italian-speaking country, where you will undertake university study, a British Council assistantship or a work placement. You will follow a programme of study in Italian, developing linguistic skills enabling you to communicate easily in writing and orally. For more information about the year abroad, visit Global Opportunities.

In year four you will complete an innovative supervised independent project, consisting of an extended essay on a topic of your choice and a public-facing element presented to the entire cohort (e.g. prospectus, interview, museum catalogue entries, newspaper article).

You will be taught by experts in the field and teaching is informed by staff research interests. The course is delivered in varied ways, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervision. You will participate in small-group teaching and may be asked to give introductory talks to initiate discussion.

This programme encourages attributes highly valued by employers, including intercultural understanding, analytical and critical thinking, clarity and self confidence in communication, an aptitude for collaborative work and creativity. It will instil habits of curiosity, openness, rigour, self reflection and evidence-based thinking, preparing you for a career in various sectors.

This course focuses on policy and the rights of children and young people from birth to 19 years, exploring contemporary debates within a global context. Our research-based teaching includes the expertise of lecturers from related disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, social work and law.

You will consider childhood in the contexts of families, peers and society at both a national and international level. Topics of study include children’s rights, development, education, therapeutic work with children, safeguarding, youth justice, and child and adolescent psychology, among others.

Years one and two are identical to the three-year BSc Childhood Studies. In the first year you will develop a solid understanding of the social, psychological and historical constructions of childhood. In subsequent years you can choose optional units from a wide range of subjects, allowing you to pursue different routes through the degree to develop the career path that is right for you.

In year three you will be able to study overseas at one of our partner institutions before returning to Bristol to complete your final year. To find out more about where you can study abroad visit Global Opportunities.

The interdisciplinary nature of this course makes it ideal for students from a range of different backgrounds who want to develop a holistic understanding of childhood. Our graduates go on to careers in areas as diverse as education, children’s therapy, social work, law and social justice, children’s charities, government and the civil service.