Global History MSc
The Global History of Inequalities HIST5158
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
Inequality is one of the most prevailing systemic and endemic problems in our world today, but how and why did this inequality emerge both between countries and within countries? What different types of inequality are there? This course will give students the opportunity to engage with cutting edge and interdisciplinary research to explore the long term causes of inequalities.
Timetable
10 x 2 hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus
Excluded Courses
HIST5200
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Essay (3,000 words) - 70%
■ Seminar Presentation - 30%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
■ Recorded presentation as an alternative to the seminar presentation
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
Course Aims
This course aims to:
■ Introduce participants to the core material about the global history of inequality.
■ Provide participants with the opportunity to engage with contemporary historiographical and interdisciplinary debates about the global history of inequality and to apply this knowledge to discussions in seminars.
■ Provide participants the opportunity to develop their own research and arguments by developing a piece of written work about global history.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Compare different forms of inequality that have emerged in different time and different places and understand the ways these have been conceptualised and managed.
■ Understand the multidimensionality and complexities of inequality, and how it is experienced in different ways, at different times, and different places.
■ Evaluate different disciplinary approaches to the study of inequality and assess their contribution to writing new global histories of inequality.
■ Critically engage with primary and secondary sources to construct an independent argument.
■ Draw upon history as a resource to engage in contemporary debates regarding development and social policy formation.