It offers a combination of theoretical and practical approaches to local and regional history, covering the topics such as parish life in the 16th and 17th centuries and religious change from 1700 - 1900.
On completing the course, you should have the knowledge and skills needed to write and publish the results of your own local history research.
What will I be studying?
Term 1: The people and the parish c.1500 - 1700
Teaching will take place on 4 Saturday day-schools : 17 October, 31 October, 21 November, 5 December 2015
During the 200 years covered by this unit, immense changes occurred within England in, for example, government, population size, agricultural practices and organised religion. Having been set in their national context, the impact of these changes on the local community will be considered. The various topics will be studied not only by means of local sources generated by the parish but also through some of the many records produced by central government that also provide information about local communities and individuals.
Term 2: Religious identities and social change 1700 - 1900
Teaching will take place on 4 Saturday day-schools: 9 January, 6 and 27 February, 19 March 2016
From the cradle to the grave, religion was an almost inescapable element of Georgian and Victorian life, its influence extending far beyond rites of passage into education, welfare, politics, economics, even leisure and entertainment. This unit examines the way in which the near monopoly of the State Church gradually gave way in most localities to a multiplicity of religious identities - Dissenter, Methodist, Catholic and Jew - and explores how religious language and organisation were used to give expression to regional, ethnic, family, social and aspirational identities. Was this the engine that drove Britain's evolution into a diverse and democratic society?
Term 3: Land and property 1500 - 1750: 'The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate'
Teaching will take place on 4 Saturday day-schools: 2 and 23 April, 14 May, 11 June 2016
From Merry England to Hard Times, how accurate are our ideas of land and property, of wealth and poverty, and of the transition from medieval to modern economic structures and institututions in England? This unit will look at changing concepts of land ownership and the nature of property, at revolutions in agriculture and finance, at the effects of enclosure and reclamation, at mechanisms of inheritance and the transmission of property, and at the distribution of wealth in early modern England. It will discuss the methods and materials available to the local historian in the reconstruction of patterns of land and property ownership, and in the evaluation of theories of economic change.
How will I be taught and assessed?
The course is taught through day-schools which offer a mixture of illustrated lectures, seminars, field trips and discussion. You will learn how to present and support evidence both through speaking and writing. You will also have access to online support through our virtual learning environment, which will accelerate your learning and enhance your experience of the course.
Visit the ICE Online introductory website for a taste of the kind of online support you will receive.
All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. In particular, you will be expected to:
- attend the day-schools and fieldtrips
- participate actively in class work
- undertake reading and assignments set by the tutors
- access resources and submit assignments through ICE Online, the Institute’s virtual learning environment.
It is essential that students have an email account and regular access to an internet-connected computer. The course is supported by a web-based Virtual Learning Environment and course communications will be sent via email. Students are expected to submit their assignments online and feedback on assignments is delivered online.
Students retain access to the learning resources on their course, and to the student common room, for two academic years after they have completed their course.
The computing facilities available at a public library or internet café may be sufficient and unlimited free computing and internet access will be available to you within the University Library throughout your course.
Entry requirements
The course is designed for students who have completed either Certificate in Local History I or the Certificate of Higher Education in Local History or who have appropriate knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in this field.
Please be aware that as the course is taught at university level, you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. If English is not your first language, you will need to send us evidence of your competence in the English language when you apply for a place
ICE English language requirements
Fees
The fee for the course is £1,800 for the year and you can pay in one of two ways:
- in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
- in three instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, the second on 1 November 2015 and the third on 1 February 2016.
ICE fees and refund policy
How to apply
Online application is recommended and the link to the online application form at the top of this page will shortly be active.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 7 September 2015. Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on 7 September 2015. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£1,800) or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.
What is the status of this qualification?
The course is taught and awarded at second-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 5) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the second year of full-time undergraduate study.
What can I go on to do?
You can complete a second 60-credit Undergraduate Diploma in Local History (Diploma I). Students who successfully complete both of these 60-credit Diplomas would be eligible to receive the 120-credit Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education in Local History.
Students can also progress to the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History.
Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes vary from institution to institution and are always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Find out more
The course specification, giving information about course-content and assignments, is available below under Downloads.
If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, please contact the Course Director Dr Samantha Williams: skw30@cam.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262.
For all other enquiries, please contact the Academic Programme Manager, Dr Liz Morfoot: ug-awards@ice.cam.ac.uk or + 44 (0)1223 746226/ 746418.