Bachelor in History and Politics

Exchange programs

The Erasmus programme permits UC3M first degree and post graduate students to spend one or several terms at one of the European universities with which UC3M has special agreements or take up an Erasmus Placement, that is a work placement or internship at an EU company. These exchanges are funded with Erasmus Grants which are provided by the EU and the Spanish Ministry of Education.

The non-european mobility program enables UC3M degree students to study one or several terms in one of the international universities with which the university has special agreements. It also has funding from the Banco Santander and the UC3M.

These places are offered in a public competition and are awarded to students with the best academic record and who have passed the language threshold  (English, French, German etc..) requested by the university of destination.

Movilidad Europea

Movilidad no europea

Entry profile

In view of the above access routes and requirements, it is highly recommended that students entering this degree have studied either the Humanities or Social Sciences baccalaureate (or, where appropriate, equivalent baccalaureate courses or similar in terms of the subjects studied when the student comes from other non-Spanish educational systems).

As has been seen in previous sections of the report, this proposed degree combines the learning of historical knowledge, competences and skills with those of the political sphere.

Hence, the recommended entry profile focuses on the aforementioned bachelor's degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences, where specific training is obtained in these fields, which develop the corresponding knowledge and competences and better prepare students for access to these studies. In these Baccalaureate courses, in accordance with Spanish regulations, students must take core subjects such as: Spanish History, Philosophy, Latin, Spanish Language and Literature, Mathematics applied to Social Sciences, Business Economics, Greek, History of Philosophy, History of Art and Geography, among others. These are subjects that, to a large extent, are clearly linked to the curriculum of the Bachelor's Degree syllabus, due to the basis they provide for students interested in accessing it.

Along with Baccalaureate students, the other main access group to the Bachelor's Degrees is that of Vocational Training students. There is no longer a preference for certain training cycles in access to the degrees in accordance with the branch to which they are attached. Therefore, any student coming from higher level training cycles will be able to gain access; in this case, and given that there are none related to the proposed degree, students will have an academic background that is less similar to the degree and it is likely that this will oblige them to make a greater dedication and effort during the progress of their degree.

If we are to highlight any suitable competence content in relation to the entry profile, the student should have a good prior training in History, Geography, Mathematics and Language. Personal attitudes of initiative, teamwork, personal organisation of work, capacity for abstraction, critical thinking and responsibility and interest in the practical application of knowledge to solve real problems are highly valued.

Finally, the University offers the degree in a bilingual option, which means that students must complete at least 120 ECTS (half of the ECTS of the degree) in English. Therefore, students must demonstrate a good level of linguistic competence in English equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, given that most subjects will be taught in English and students will be working with texts, materials, exercises, etc. entirely in English. Similarly, and given that the degree is taught in Spanish and English, international students will have to accredit a level equivalent to B2 in Spanish. In particular, section 5 of this report details the subjects that will be taught in English.

Application for a place in the degree

Graduate profile

The Bachelor's Degree in History and Politics aims to train people who, with a dual humanistic and scientific approach, can analyse the problems of our time through knowledge of history. At the end of their studies, students must be able to carry out historiographical studies and data analysis. Likewise, they should be able to study different subjects in depth with a comparative logic. The aforementioned methodological skills will make it possible to overcome the traditional disciplinary barriers in favour of broader approaches that take into account both the weight of history and the structural determinants analysed from the social sciences. Such an approach will make it possible to combine courses in Political History, Economic History and Social History with courses in Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Sociology.

The Bachelor's Degree in History and Politics was created in response to the growing demand for qualified professionals in different fields. As a pioneering degree in Spain, it is clear that it can provide an outlet for the hitherto unsatisfied demand for interdisciplinary studies in History and Politics. The proposed Degree is a differentiated and attractive option compared to the traditional Degrees in History and Political Science. The Degree will be of interest to future historians with a more analytical and comparative vocation and to future political scientists and social scientists in general who wish to understand the historical roots of present-day problems. The offer of a multidisciplinary degree such as the one proposed could attract not only students interested in History and Politics in their teaching and research careers, but also those inclined towards other Human and Social Sciences, such as Philosophy, Sociology or Political Law.

This new degree may be of particular interest to those who wish to enter the Diplomatic School to pursue a career in the highly sought-after field of external action. History and Political Science, and, more importantly, the confluence of the two disciplines is a transcendental training base in this field.

In addition, it could be of interest to managers, advisors and consultants in international organisations, public administrations, political and trade union bodies, NGOs, foundations and other branches of the private sector. It would also be of interest to journalists who aspire to specialise in general political information, specialists in archives and historical-political research, or analysts linked to companies and think tanks. The aim is to extend historical culture in the professional performance not only of historians, but also of political scientists, policy makers and managers of public and non-governmental bodies.

 

BASIC SKILLS

CB1        Que los estudiantes hayan demostrado poseer y comprender conocimientos en un área de estudio que parte de la base de la educación secundaria general, y se suele encontrar a un nivel que, si bien se apoya en libros de texto avanzados, incluye también algunos aspectos que implican conocimientos procedentes de la vanguardia de su campo de estudio

CB2        Que los estudiantes sepan aplicar sus conocimientos a su trabajo o vocación de una forma profesional y posean las competencias que suelen demostrarse por medio de la elaboración y defensa de argumentos y la resolución de problemas dentro de su área de estudio

CB3        Que los estudiantes tengan la capacidad de reunir e interpretar datos relevantes (normalmente dentro de su área de estudio) para emitir juicios que incluyan una reflexión sobre temas relevantes de índole social, científica o ética

CB4        Que los estudiantes puedan transmitir información, ideas, problemas y soluciones a un público tanto especializado como no especializado

CB5        Que los estudiantes hayan desarrollado aquellas habilidades de aprendizaje necesarias para emprender estudios posteriores con un alto grado de autonomía.

GENERAL SKILLS

CG1       To know economic, juridical, political and social reality from a comparative perspective

CG2       To be capable of tackling and analyzing the inherent values in equality of opportunities, multiculturalism, political, ideological and cultural pluralism, Fundamental Rights, taking into full account, as much for contemporary as for past societies, the great transcendence of cultural relativism.

CG3       To know quantitative and qualitative research methods, and to have the capacity to discern which is adequate for application in the areas of the Social Sciences and Historiography

CG4       To be capable of managing, identifying, organizing and analyzing relevant information in a critical and systematic manner with respect to current and past sources relating to political and other aspects

CG5       To be capable of debating and reasoning critically, using for these precise terminology and specialized resources, on international and global phenomena, using concepts and knowledge from different disciplines as well as methodologies of analysis, paradigms and concepts from the Social Sciences.

CG6       Being capable of applying scientific methods to the social, political and economic questions posed by globalized society, as well as presenting a problem in this area, identifying a possible explanation or solution, and a method for sustaining them via the careful interpretation of data

CG7       Knowing how to present judgements which include an ethical reflection on fundamental issues of a social, scientific and economic nature, in a context that is representative of past and present societies, at the international, national and locl levels

CG8       To assume in a clear and objective manner that the study of the past, even if it does not determine inexorably the courses to be followed in the future, nonetheless enables, through the explanation of the present, the best possible disposition with which to face this future.

TRANSVERSAL SKILLS

CT1        To be capable of communicating, presenting and writing up an issue or preparing a speech following a logical order, supplying precise information and in keeping with established grammatical and linguistic norms

CT2        Being capable of evaluating the reliability and quality of information and its sources, using the latter in an ethical manner, avoiding plagiarism, and in accordance with the academic and professional conventions of the area of study. Being capable of organizing and planning the work and reaching judgements by taking decisions based on this information.

CT3        Knowing and being capable of managing interpersonal qualities with respect to team working, initiative and responsibility, negotiation, emotional intelligence etc., as well as tools of calculation which enable the consolidation of basic technical skills required in all professional areas.

CT4        Acquiring basic humanistic knowledge which enables the completion of the student's transversal formative profile.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCES            

CE1A     Knowing the principal historiographic, political and sociological theories; and also in the Spanish case, when necessary.

CE1B      Knowing how to analyze and compare the structure and functioning of the principal social-political systems, both in the past and present; and also in the Spanish case, when necessary

CE2        Knowing and understanding the processes of political, social, economic and cultural change in society and politics in different historical eras and especially in the contemporary world.

CE4        Knowing the model of public liberties and fundamental rights in both Spanish and international juridical organization

CE5        Knowing the principal models of the territorial, political, economic and social organization of the state both in the course of history and especially in the present

CE6        Knowing the social-political impact of the principal empires, religions and cultures in historical perspective

C7A        Understanding the principal consequences and dynamics generated by inequality

C7B        Knowing the principles on which the policies of equality are based, emphasising the principal historical landmarks which have generated current concern with these issues.

CE8        Knowing the structure of, and the impact of state intervention in markets

CE9        Knowing and understanding the relevance of technological advances in their historical context as agents of political, economic and social change.

CE10      Understanding the differentiating elements of international problems as a function of the level of development of a given country.

CE11      Knowing how to analyze critically, from their relationship with the present, fundamental political events of the past the effects of which have an impact on the present.

CE12      Knowing how to pose and resolve basic problems of an economic, social and political content in the international, national and local contexts, paying the necessary attention to the historical precedents for these problems

CE13      Knowing the principles of cost-benefit analysis and its application to basic problems

CE14      Knowing how to design and evaluate viable and sustainable political and socioeconomic programs directed towards social improvement, taking into account as well past experience in these aspects

CE15      Knowing how to design and evaluate programs of improvement in the management and quality of public or private services, taking into account the historical perspective on these issues

CE16      Knowing how to undertake case studies and to apply the comparative method in order to analyze the institutions, processes and politics of different countries

CE17      Undergraduate Thesis: Knowing how to analyze, resolve, present and/or defend a problem of an historical and political nature, applying the knowledge and the comparative historical methodologies acquired in the course of the Degree.

CE18      Knowing the fundamental concepts and theories of Political Science, and knowing how to interpret and apply them in the various fields of this discipline

CE19      Knowing how to formulate hypotheses and to test them empirically using comparative and statistical methods

CE20      Knowing the principal determinants of citizens¿ political behaviour, with respect to both voting and protest

CE21      Knowing how to analyze the impact and influence of the media on the political agenda and on electoral campaigns.

CE22      Knowing and understanding the principal historical proceses of Spain's past which have configured the country's current political structure           

RA1. Haber adquirido conocimientos avanzados y demostrado una comprensión de los aspectos teóricos y prácticos y de la metodología de trabajo en las diferentes disciplinas de estudio en el ámbito de la Historia y de la Ciencia política con una profundidad que llegue hasta la vanguardia del conocimiento.

RA2. Aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos, la comprensión de estos y sus capacidades a la resolución de problemas complejos y/o especializados en el ámbito profesional.

RA3. Tener la capacidad de recopilar e interpretar datos e informaciones sobre las que fundamentar sus conclusiones incluyendo, cuando sea preciso y pertinente, la reflexión sobre asuntos de índole social, científica o ética en el ámbito de su campo de estudio.

RA4. Ser capaces de desenvolverse en situaciones complejas o que requieran el desarrollo de nuevas soluciones tanto en el ámbito académico como laboral o profesional dentro de su campo de estudio.

RA5. Saber comunicar a todo tipo de audiencias (especializadas o no) de manera clara y precisa, conocimientos, metodologías, ideas, problemas y soluciones en el ámbito de su campo de estudio.

RA6. Ser capaces de identificar sus propias necesidades formativas en su campo de estudio y entorno laboral o profesional y de organizar su propio aprendizaje con un alto grado de autonomía en todo tipo de contextos (estructurados o no).

 

Career opportunities

The Degree in History and Politics provides an interdisciplinary training in History and Politics, with a double intencion: that students acquire a global understanding of the great processes of political

change in historical perspective, and that they can study History with the help of the categories of Political Science.

Graduates of this degree will be able to work in the following areas:

• Consulting
• Human resources management consulting, quality consulting companies.
• Foreign trade consulting firms and market research and public opinion institutes
• Companies in the field of political and corporate communication.
• Teaching and research
• Representative activities
• General Administration Technician in local corporations
• International organizations(Word Bank, UN, cooperation offices)
• Councill of foreing affairs and cooperation (or equivalent)
• Third sector organizations operating in the internacional field