Undergraduate Menu
SEARCH using keywords/tags or full text search.
Lisa-Marie Durrant
History Major, Graduated 2005
As a young person facing being away from home for the first time,I was initially attracted to Lancaster University because it was campus based and had a unique college system. In addition the historic city of Lancaster appeared to provide the ideal setting for studying a degree in history.
Within a few weeks of starting university I can honestly say these aspirations were fulfilled. Despite being a long way away from my home in Kent I found it relatively easy to settle into university life as a result of the friendly and close-knit community that existed within my college, Furness, and the welcoming persona of the History Department. In addition, whilst handling the social demands that the Fresher's year brings, I was also able to throw myself into my subject. The Creating History module, of which I did the Reformation course, was not only interesting but provided me with the research, writing, communication and referencing skills that proved to be essential for my second and third years.
In the second year you are required to study a total of four modules. Of the four modules that I studied I particularly enjoyed studying the First World War. I decided to study the First World War because it was not only an area of history that had interested me for many years, but would also prove useful when studying other modern European history modules. I really enjoyed the interesting and elevating lectures and seminars delivered by Dr. Alan Warburton who focused upon the causes, events, individual experiences, consequences and the historical debates that have surrounded the First World War.
In the third year you are given the opportunity to study a special subject and produce a dissertation on a topic of your choice. There are a range of special subjects to choose from; however I decided to study the Russian Revolutions, which included a visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg. I really enjoyed studying the special subject as it gave me the freedom to produce my own interpretations of a controversial event using a wide range of both primary and secondary sources. In addition, the dissertation module gave me the opportunity to research in depth an aspect of history which had been largely untouched by historians. Although at first the thought of producing a 10,000 word dissertation was daunting, once I began researching my topic in archives in Ypres and London, it proved to be both enjoyable and rewarding.
I feel honoured to have gained a degree in history at Lancaster University. The tutors and staff in the department were all approachable and willing to help with both personal and academic matters. I am so grateful for all the support they gave me when I was ill in my final year, without their help I would not have achieved all that I have. The tutors, many of whom are leading historians, have given me a passion for my subject that I hope to transfer to other young people as I embark upon a career in secondary school teaching.
| Research & Publications | News and Events | Current Student Resources |
Save this page:
Del.icio.us
Digg It
Reddit
Facebook
Stumble It!