History of Ideas (MA) - 2013/2014 entry

How can we understand the ‘lived reality of ideas’, and how can the study of the history of ideas help us to interpret past societies and individual thinkers? 'History of ideas' is a dynamic and expanding field, and this programme enables you to pursue an exciting programme of study, exploring ideas in their historical context. If you want to explore the relationship between ideas and actions through a variety of historical periods and perspectives, then this is the degree for you.

Find out more about studying in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology.

• Offers an innovative approach to an exciting area of historical and cultural study.
• Taught by internationally reputed scholars drawn from our departments of History, Classics and Archaeology, and English and Humanities.
• Conveniently located for the British Museum, the British Library and a range of specialist research centres.
• Watch our video: Professor Catharine Edwards talks about studying in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology.

The programme consists of three assessed elements: a compulsory 10-week core module taught annually in the autumn term, with an additional research skills and method component; three option modules, each taught over 10 weeks (one term); and a dissertation due at the end of September of the final year of study.

The introductory core module aims to equip you with the conceptual background necessary for historical study at postgraduate level. It includes 10 broad lectures and 10 weekly seminars dedicated to exploring specific topics and questions on the history of ideas.

We offer a wide range of option modules, covering topics from classical antiquity to the present day. These include:

• A History of Ancient Scientific Thought
• Africa in the European Imagination
• After the Ottoman Empire
• Ancient Political Thought and its Medieval Legacy
• Archaeological Architecture
• China and the West - Encounters 1600-2000
• Cultural History of War
• Education and American Culture: From Slavery to the Culture Wars
• Fascism and Psychoanalysis
• Internationalism
• Islam and Politics
• Jews and Antisemitism in Modern Europe: Histories and Approaches 
• Magic, Science and Religion in the Renaissance
• Marsilio Ficino, Platonism and the Florentine Renaissance
• Psychoanalysis, History, Biography, Problems of Methodology
• Queer Histories, Queer Cultures
• Religion in America
• Religion and the State: Traditions and Innovations, 200-600 AD
• Religion in Society and Politics: Britain and Ireland, 1801-2001
• Renaissance Florence
• Responses to Rome
• The Arab-Israeli Question
• The Soviet Experience
• Western Images of Japan.

Please note: not all option modules are offered every year. You should confirm module availability before enrolling.

You will find the British Museum and the British Library just a few minutes' walk from Birkbeck. Other nearby specialist centres of research include the Institute of Archaeology, the Insitute of Classical Studies and the Institute of Historical Research, all of which offer regular seminars on research areas covered by the department. 

Birkbeck also has active history and archaeology societies.

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in History.

Graduates go on to careers as researchers, as archivists, in museums and galleries, in education, and as journalists.

Teaching staff

Course director: Dr Caroline Humfress. 

• Professor Joanna Bourke
• Dr Surekha Davies.
• Dr Filippo de Vivo
• Professor Catharine Edwards 
• Professor David Feldman
• Dr Hilary Sapire
• Professor Chandak Sengoopta
• Dr Julian Swann
• Professor Frank Trentmann.

• We recommend you apply as early as possible.
• Interviews from January.