Modern history is the period after the post-classical era. It studies the social, political and economic changes within individual countries and the broader impact of those changes. Modern history analyses events such as revolutions, ideologies, nation-states, modern warfare, globalisation, political systems, capitalism, totalitarianism, democracy and communism. Areas of Modern History include philosophy, international law and sociological principles. While many degree programs focus on a global view of events, some focus primarily on one country’s recent history and contribution to larger events.

Curriculums in Modern History touch upon subjects like the crisis of the world, the rise of national industrial empires, Christianity and sexual revolution, democracy and governance, classical political thought, international study in peace and conflict, the world at the beginning of the twentieth century.

A degree in Modern History will help students develop critical thinking skills, analyse global events, and improve their awareness of other cultures. Students also gain a better understanding of the events that have led to progress and ongoing conflict in the world today.

Study levels:

Courses in Modern History are offered in various colleges and universities across India and abroad at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. Interested students can also pursue online and offline certification courses and the following are the study levels that fall under this sub-discipline:

• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Modern History
• Bachelor of Science in History
• Bachelor of Arts in Historical Sciences
• Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics
• Master of Science in History
• Master of Arts in History
• Master of Arts in Modern History
• Master of Arts in Global History
• Master of Arts in Comparative History
• Master of Science in Global History
• Master of Philosophy in History
• Ph.D.

Specialisations:

Modern History offers an unlimited range of specialisations with a wide variety of settings and time periods that students can choose to focus on based on their interests and specialisation topics that are offered may vary according to available resources and research interests.

The following are the specialisations offered under Modern History:

• Comparative History and Politics
• Holocaust Studies
• War History
• Colonial History and Postcolonial History
• Victorian Studies
• International and Military History
• Histories of Modern Masculinities and Sexualities
• Historiography in the Modern West
• Global History
• History of Science and Technology
• Nazism and Fascism in Europe and Asia
• Approaches to Global History
• Strategies of Imperial Control
• Political Culture: War, Society, and Governance

Employability:

Graduates with a degree in Modern History can go into various careers such as tourism, journalism, state departments, museums, law and the civil service where they may work as professors, archivists, heritage managers, museum educators, senior administrative officials and archaeologists and historians. Additionally, graduates can also pursue excellent careers in a variety of reputed private and public organisations as graduates of Modern history are also recruited in film academies where they work as writers and editors. They can also find employment in several educational institutions where they can work as professors as well as researchers.  

Job profiles for graduates in Modern History include:

• Politician
• Historian
• Publisher
• Journalist
• Archaeologist
• Museum Curator
• Museum Education Officer
• Archivist
• Teacher/Lecturer
• Project Manager
• Academic Researcher
• History Expert
• Heritage Manager
• Social Worker
• Tourist Guide
• Content Writer
• Librarian
• Historical Research Assistant