History Summer School

21 July – 3 August 2013
Programme Director: Dr David Smith FRHistS

The History Summer School gives you the chance to study in detail specific historical figures, periods or events. A team of eminent historians offer courses that cover a wide range of problems and themes in British, European and global history. You can choose courses that complement one another or you may wish to select ones that address the broadest possible historical period.

Focus on: History

Dr David Smith FRHistS gives more insight into the forthcoming History programme. Read more...

Who should apply?

Students who have completed at least one year at an institute of higher education, or adults who bring other ‘life experience’. Some 50% of participants are current undergraduate or graduate students, 50% are aged 25-85+. Participants must also meet our language requirements.

The academic programme

• Four special subject courses
  (two per week)
• Plenary course LM0:
  Defining Moments
• Evening lectures

Special subject courses

Much of the teaching is given in special subject classes, led by members of the University’s Faculty of History and visiting academics. The core of your programme will be your chosen special subject courses, each of which meets five times.

The format of the programme allows a wide choice of subject area: you may wish to attend courses which most obviously complement one another or you may opt to make a selection which covers the broadest historical period possible.

Week 1 (21 - 27 July)

Group La: 11.00am - 12.30pm

La1 King James VI and I 

La2 Making and breaking the Soviet Union

La3 The Spanish Civil War, 1936-39

La4 Britain and Europe, 1688-1815

Group Ma: 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Ma1 Winston Churchill – the greatest Briton?

Ma2 Heroes and villains: the Victorians and history

Ma3 Defining moments in modern British military history

Ma4 The Zulu and Boer wars: Britain in southern Africa, 1879-1902

Week 2 (28 July - 3 August)

Group Lb: 11.00am - 12.30pm

Lb1 The reign of Charles I, 1625-49

Lb2 The Holy Roman Empire, 1500-1806

Lb3 The archaeology of 20th-century European conflict

Lb4 1789-99: the revolutionary rubicon

Group Mb: 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Mb1 The Bandung Moment and the making of the postcolonial world

Mb2 The Fall of Eagles: the Romanovs, Habsburgs and Hohenzollerns, 1848-1920

Mb3 When Hitler invaded Britain

Mb4 The Zulu and Boer wars: Britain in southern Africa, 1879-1902

Plenary lectures and evening talks

Each year, eminent historians from the University of Cambridge and beyond are invited to contribute plenary lectures related to a chosen theme. The theme of this year’s morning plenary lectures is Defining Moments. Collectively, the speakers will explore a range of historical events chosen from various periods and different parts of the world. These lectures are intended to extend your historical knowledge into areas not covered by the special subject courses, and to develop your understanding of the causes, nature and consequences of a series of crucially significant episodes.

A typical day

Download a PDF of the daily schedule of the History Summer School programme.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available for participants who want to stay in a Cambridge College. Please see the accommodation options available for this programme.

Non-residential attendance is also available if participants prefer to find their own lodgings.

Programme fees

Programme fees include tuition, bed, breakfast and evening meals unless otherwise indicated.

Download the fees page to see the options available.

Pre-enrolment information

Booking terms and conditions

Downloads