Single Honours

MA Economic and Social History

Although Economic History has been taught in Edinburgh since 1884, Social History began to develop in the 1950s and 1960s as an approach to the past influenced by the social science tradition.

Statue of the social philosopher Adam Smith in Edinburgh's High Street.

Tradition and experience are combined with fresh approaches and insights as we explore the economic, social and cultural factors that have shaped the historical past. Social History is concerned with how people have lived their lives and how and why their experiences and behaviour have changed over time, asking a wide range of questions about social behaviour, organisations and identities in the past.

Economic History is the study of the way in which economies develop, why that development differs between countries and over time, and how individuals, households and communities contribute to, and are affected by, economic change. Economic and Social History is often fascinating in its own right, but an understanding of past change also helps us to understand today’s world. Many present-day institutions and issues can only be understood if we know about their origins and development: industrial relations, religious conflicts, the ‘crisis’ in the welfare state, globalisation and its effects, are four instances of this point.

Programme details

Typically one-semester courses are worth 20 credits, full-year courses 40 credits; you normally complete 120 credits in each year. In addition to any core courses listed below you can choose additional courses from across the Schools of the University.

These are summary guides only - see foot of page for full details.

Pre-honours

Year 1

British Society, 1650-2000 (Social History 1) (40 credits)

AND

2 courses from Economics, Sociology, Geography, Social Anthropology or Politics (40 credits)
2 optional courses (40 credits)

Year 2

Economic History 2: the Global Economy since 1500 (40 credits)

AND

1 - 3 courses in Economic and Social History (20 - 60 credits)
1 - 2 optional courses (20 - 40 credits)

Honours

Year 3

3 courses in Economic and Social History (60 credits)
1 optional course (20 credits)

Year 4

Dissertation in History - topic in Economic and Social History (40 credits)

2 courses in Economic and Social History (40 credits)
2 optional courses (40 credits)