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HIS33110

Academic Year 2025/2026

Queer History in Practice: A Global Methodology (HIS33110)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Jeremiah Garsha
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module explores queer history in the long 20th century (1890s to 2020s) using a global history lens.

It asks: what does the past look like when we reveal histories that have been hidden, silenced, secreted, overlooked, and erased? This module investigates the more recent histories of individuals who may have identified (or later would be identified) as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, two-spirit, and with other sexual and gender expressions.

The module explores queer history in the long 20th century as both a subject in its own right, and as a practice of doing history. We will examine the histories of sexuality and gender performance using global case studies from across the 20th century, as well as the cultural, social, legal, and political connections to these histories.

This module seeks to equip students with the tools of historical analysis used to uncover marginalized experiences and as such focuses on the methodology of queering history. It moves chronologically through the 20th century and into the present day in order to introduce students to the historiography of queer history and bring awareness to their own contributions of the field.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1) Ability to analyse complicated source materials and develop original arguments
2) Critically engage with diverse primary and secondary sources, including unconventional sources such as visual media, performance, music, and slang
3) Gain experience focusing the skills of historians in order to research, meet deadlines, and present historical findings
4) Write and research analytical and argumentative essays to the standard of a level 3 history student
5) Reflect on diversity and inclusion in recovering hidden histories

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2:
The Making of Queer Worlds, 1899-1920
(Geographic range includes: Africa, Middle East, North America, Europe, Oceania)

Week 3:
The First World War and Gay Rights Movements, 1914-1919
(Geographic range includes: Africa, Asia, North America, Europe)

Week 4:
Sexuality in the Colonial Archive, 1930s
(Geographic range includes: Africa, Asia)

Week 5:
Coming Out Under Fire: Queerness and the Second World War, 1940s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Europe, Oceania, Africa)

Week 6:
Suburbia in the Lavender Scare, 1950s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Europe)

Week 7:
Indigenising Queer History, 1960s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Middle East, Oceania)

Week 8:
Beyond Stonewall, 1970s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Europe, Middle East)

Week 9:
AIDS Activism and the Loss of Elders, 1980s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Europe, Africa)

Week 10:
The Rise of Pride and the Politics of Coming Out, 1990s
(Geographic range includes: North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia)

Week 11:
Trans*nationalism and the Globalisation of Queer Rights Movements, 2000s
(Geographic range includes: Africa, Middle East, North America, Europe, Oceania)

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Total

223

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group, seminar-based module. It is taught through a one-hour weekly lecture and a two-hour weekly seminar. The weekly lecture provides an overview to the week’s topic focusing on the key historical debates and events. The weekly seminar is focused on individual active/task-based learning through classroom debate, discussions, and student presentations. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a combined individual student presentation on primary archival sources and written essay, culminating in a 4000-word research project. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set primary sources and/or student presentations each week.

The use of AI tools (e.g. Gemini, Chat GPT, Copilot) is not permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will be graded on their participation in seminars. This is not based on attendance but rather active discussion and participation. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will complete a research essay paper of 4,000 words, based on work undertaken over the semester. Week 14 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Student will give a 12 to 15 minute presentation on a theme relating to the seminars and final research essay, demonstrating an awareness of the main historical issues for the chosen topic Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on the written assessments will be provided, in writing, and post-submission, via brightspace. Oral feedback will be provided on an ongoing basis in seminars in response to student contributions. Students will also have opportunity to receive one-to-one consultation to discuss their progress either pre- or post-assessment by availing to office hours and/or appointments with the Module Coordinator.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
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