Block 2 modules

During the 1840s and 50s the Brontë sisters wrote some of the most original and challenging fiction of the Victorian period. Their work is still popular and still inspires criticism, fiction, popular culture, and film adaptations.

This module provides an introduction to British literature with a focus on well-known authors, including the Brontës. The module also includes British authors such as Elizabeth Gaskell, Oscar Wilde and the Pre-Raphaelite poets. You'll read a range of texts by these authors and explore these writings in class. You'll take part in group discussions and a workshop on writing a critical commentary.

You must read the novel 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë and the play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde before the start of the summer school.

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë lived at Haworth Parsonage, only a few miles from Leeds. You’ll usually visit the stunning Yorkshire village that was their home during the module. 

Read the full description of British literature and the Brontës in the module catalogue.

Are you interested in digital photography and making photographic images? Do you want to develop your practical digital camera skills? This module will give you an understanding of how a digital camera works and how to interpret and evaluate photographic images.

You'll also learn how to compose a photographic image and how to expose a photograph correctly. You'll gain critical insight through the study of existing photographic images and the work of key photographers. As you progress your digital photography skills you'll produce a portfolio of your own images. Please note you're expected to use your own digital camera for this module. 

This module usually includes a field trip to Fountains Abbey.

The field trips for this module give an extra practical experience to the things that you learn in class which is fantastic.

Read the full description of Introduction to digital photography in the module catalogue.

Are you ready to take the lead in the Global Creative Industries? This rapidly growing field is diverse and dynamic, offering more rewards than most. In this module, you will dive into the world of Global Creative Industries: understanding what they are, how they operate, and their positive impact on the world.

You will discover the sources of social and commercial value that stem from creativity in global contexts. Additionally, you will explore business models that ensure the success and sustainability of these industries.

The module also covers essential skills needed to thrive in this complex and evolving environment, such as leadership, communication, financial management, and innovation. Ultimately, this module aims to help you find your place in this exciting and expanding world of opportunities.  

Module subject to final approval.

Step back in time and explore the mystical and enigmatic aspects of medieval England. In this course, you will uncover medieval records that chronicle extraordinary experiences, which in today's terms might be seen as supernatural – think miracle healings, journeys to the afterlife, and encounters with mystical beings.

This module delves into the obscure corners of England's past, inviting you to engage with tangible historical texts that provide a window into these extraordinary events. You will tap into the exclusive resources of the University of Leeds' special collections, giving you hands-on experience with historical documents. This module challenges aspiring historians to apply their skills to events that might initially seem beyond belief.

You will analyse the evidence, decipher the narratives, and gain a deeper understanding of the supernatural beliefs and experiences that shaped medieval England. The module includes a field trip to a location within Leeds or the local region. 

Read the full description of Miracles and magic in medieval England in the module catalogue.

In the next 50 years, we will have to produce more food than we have produced so far in all human history to feed a global population of more than 10 billion. This is against the background of climate change and reduced land for arable cultivation. We also have increasingly limited resources. Plant biotechnology has an important role in meeting these challenges. This module will discuss these challenges to global food security and the potential solutions. This will include the role of genetically modified (GM) plants.

You’ll develop practical skills in the synthesis of a recombinant DNA and insertion into a plant cell. You’ll gain first-hand experience of developing a GM plant and you’ll assess current projects to engineer enhanced crops. You’ll consider their potential to provide greater food security in the decades to come. The module usually includes a field trip to Yara Pocklington or Stockbridge Technology Centre.

Read the full description of Genetic engineering and genetically modified plants in the module catalogue. 

What do we mean when we talk about culture? How can we describe cultures and what is their importance in business? This module examines the nature of culture, looks at culture at the national level and suggests there are other ways of examining culture.

You'll improve your own cultural awareness and learn how to factor in the role of culture in business situations. You'll have the opportunity to consider a variety of cultural influences. You'll also explore the impact of globalisation on the need for cross-cultural skills in communication and negotiation.

The module usually includes visits to local companies and businesses.

While I come from a History and Politics field of study, I wanted to broaden my horizons and allow myself to think about my post undergrad years. This module seemed like a perfect way to get my feet wet in business studies while taking in an unfamiliar culture.

Read the full description of Business and cultural awareness in the module catalogue.

Entrepreneurship plays an important role in society. Across the world micro, small and medium enterprises are providing the livelihoods for millions. Increasingly we are seeing the emergence of new ‘for-purpose’ business forms. They seek to create social and environmental value as well as the more traditional economic benefits.

This module explores various types of for-purpose businesses such as social enterprises. For example Certified B-Corps, Fairtrade and hybrids. You’ll also consider some of the key founders that have shaped these businesses and the emergence of new ideas as microfinance. The module also considers how traditional corporates can be more socially responsible. 

The module usually includes a field trip to places of interest related to the module such as the National Coal Mining Museum or Leeds Recycling & Energy Recovery Facility. 

The teachers encouraged interaction in the lessons, and they provided plenty of opportunities for group discussion and sharing our own opinions. It made the teaching more interesting and lively, and I enjoyed my time in class.

Read the full description of Entrepreneurship and society: ideas, opportunities and value creation in the module catalogue. 

In a world where technology impacts every aspect of our lives, computational thinking is an invaluable skill. It's not just for computer scientists but for problem solvers in every field – from business to biology, from arts to engineering. In today's interconnected global landscape, computational thinking has become the universal language of innovation.   

This module will empower you to think like a computer scientist and discover how to approach complex challenges with clarity, creativity, and confidence. You will explore fundamental concepts such as decomposition, pattern recognition and abstraction. You will develop essential skills such as logical and algorithmic thinking and algorithm design. You will dive into real-world problems, breaking them down and solving them step by step. You will learn to harness the power of algorithms and abstract thinking to tackle even the most intricate challenges.

The module will include a field trip, industry visit, campus-based workshop or other practical activity. 

Read the full description of Computational thinking: unlocking the power of problem solving in the module catalogue.

In our ever-changing world, we encounter pressing sustainability issues, from ensuring affordable and clean energy to finding sustainable ways to produce food, manage water, and manufacture products for a growing global population. Solving these challenges calls for innovative engineering solutions grounded in the knowledge of chemical and process engineering.

In this module you will delve into the vital role of chemical engineering in tackling the global issues outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout this course, you'll explore a wide range of sustainability challenges, such as carbon capture, renewable energy production, and the evolving field of biochemical engineering in healthcare. You'll engage with these topics through a mix of lectures, thought-provoking case studies, simulations, and interactive group discussions. The module places a strong emphasis on the latest research and real-world applications, giving you the chance to uncover cutting-edge engineering and technological solutions for sustainability challenges.

The module includes a field trip to a chemical and energy production facility in the Yorkshire region. This will provide you with a taste of the intersection between sustainability and engineering in action. 

Read the full description of Engineering solutions for a sustainable world in the module catalogue.

This module explores the profound impact of our decisions on the environment, from entrepreneurial ventures to everyday consumer choices. It delves into how economic ideas shape these decisions, highlighting the differences between approaches centred on human interests and approaches that see humans as part of socio-ecological systems.

You will engage with Ecological Economics and other Heterodox perspectives, examining their influence on societal and environmental outcomes. Key learning objectives include understanding the relationship between economic ideas and environmental behaviour, familiarising with core concepts in Ecological Economics, and critically comparing it with Neoclassical and Environmental Economics.

Additionally, the module will introduce insights from Behavioural Economics and Decolonising perspectives, applying these concepts to real-world case studies to illustrate their practical implications. By the end of this module, you will gain a high-level understanding of how diverse economic theories can guide more sustainable and equitable decision-making.  

Module subject to final approval.

All supermarket foods, whether plant or animal-based, come from farms and undergo processing before reaching the shelves. Food processing experts use various techniques to ensure these foods are safe and desirable for consumers. In this module, you will learn how raw ingredients are transformed into everyday products.

You will study different food processing methods, their impact on nutritional value, and the rise of ultra-processed foods. The module also examines how media and social media shape public perceptions and behaviours towards these foods.

The module includes immersive digital resources, a laboratory session, and a factory tour to provide hands-on experience and real-time understanding of food manufacturing processes.  

Module subject to final approval.

You probably know where your mobile phone was made, but do you know where it goes when you throw it “away”? This module delves into the concept of waste and wasting, examining its significance, origins, and impacts. You will investigate various forms of waste, including food, electronics, clothing, plastic and nuclear, as dynamic cultural, historical, economic and political phenomena.

Using multidisciplinary approaches like social and environmental justice, political ecologies, and zero-waste philosophies, you will understand waste’s role in our lives and its environmental and ethical intersections.

By examining diverse geographies of waste, from informal recyclers in the Americas to waste exports in Africa and Asia, and reuse initiatives in Europe, you will be equipped to tackle the multifaceted challenges of waste in various contexts.  

Module subject to final approval.

In our modern world, the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, as well as diabetes, is a critical global health concern. This module provides an introduction to these complex health issues. You will explore the essential basics of the cardiovascular system's functioning and the intricate regulation of glucose and energy within the human body. These foundational insights will lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the biology of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

You'll delve into the pressing need for innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach. This knowledge is essential not only for future healthcare professionals but also for students pursuing non-medical and health-related programmes. Real-world examples will illustrate how individuals from diverse educational backgrounds can contribute to advancements in cardiovascular health and diabetes care.

Read the full description of Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes: An Introduction in the module catalogue.

This module will enable you understand the media’s role in portraying mental health across various types, including film, TV, news, internet, literature, music, and video games. You will analyse these media products to grasp their mental health messages, from sensationalised and misleading to educational and health-promoting content.

The module explores historical changes in media depictions along with changing societal attitudes. It uses Berlo’s Communication Model (Sender, Message, Receiver) as a framework for understanding the media's framing of mental health content and its subsequent receipt and engagement.

Interactive workshops encourage reflection and discussion, emphasising the importance of a critical and reflective approach to daily media consumption.  

Module subject to final approval.

Are you interested in gaining an understanding of the evolving field of conflict analysis? This module provides an introduction to the nature and causes of armed conflicts as well as their resolution.

Initially the module focuses on motivations driving different forms of conflict, for example, greed versus grievance and ethnicity. The second part of the module introduces types of interventions to conflicts and methods of conflict resolution. This is an interdisciplinary module with elements of traditional conflict management approaches combined with contemporary scientific studies on cooperation and conflict.

Field trips for this module in the past have included a visit to the city of York and the Cold War Bunker.

It was a fantastic course and I am very glad I chose to study it. The content, both theory and practical activities, was very good and contributed to getting to know my classmates.

Read the full description of Conflict analysis in international politics in the module catalogue.

Despite the growing availability of exercise opportunities and information, participation rates remain low. Many adults engage in less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week, a trend seen globally. This inactivity puts individuals at risk of chronic disease and poor wellbeing.

This module explores barriers to physical activity and examines psychological factors like motivation, exercise anxiety, and confidence.

You will also study the broader impacts of exercise on mental health and overall wellbeing, drawing on contemporary sport and exercise science research.  

Module subject to final approval.

Why do we do the things we do? Are we in control of our behaviour, or is the mind subject to influences we cannot control? How does the mind influence our behaviour, our reactions to our environment and the people we meet, and even how we perceive art? This module analyses how human behaviour has evolved and explores what makes us both human and fallible. 

You'll also gain an understanding of how our mind can play tricks on us, for better and for worse. You'll discover how developmental and social factors influence our behaviour. You'll explore core topics in psychology including neuroscience, perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, and social, developmental and abnormal psychology. 

The module usually includes a field trip to The Hepworth in Wakefield and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The lectures were amazing and interesting and I really enjoyed the group presentation. It not only helped me to learn a lot of information about the topic but it also helped me to make great friends. 

Read the full description of Introduction to psychology in the module catalogue.

Law is a diverse and stimulating discipline which is integral to everyday life. Every person in society has experience of how the law affects their lives. From crime and policing to the courtroom, or from banking to individual rights. This module provides the fundamentals of knowledge and an introduction to the English Legal System.

It examines a range of core subject areas of law, such as human rights, constitutional and criminal. Practical activities will include statute-building, debates on law and ethics and mooting. 

This module usually includes a field trip to the Yorkshire Law and Order Museums in Ripon, a stunning cathedral city in North Yorkshire. This module is suitable for students studying Law or related Social Sciences subjects. 

This module gave me the full experience that I had imagined before I came here. I also liked the subject since I am also studying Law which is why I’m fascinated with how the law works here in the UK.

Read the full description of The path to justice in the module catalogue.