Student and tutor module reviews
The making of Welsh history
- Points: 60
- Code: A329
- Level: 3
- On this page
Student reviews
I would heartily recommend this module to any student contemplating taking it. The tuition, guidance and support from the tutors, A329 module team and other students were fantastic, and were integral to my understanding of the module material and thus getting the result I wanted.
The module is structured slightly different to previous modules I have done but I enjoyed the fact that the online exercises (a small percentage of the tutor-marked assignment marks) could be completed at your own pace and chosen at will, from a wide selection. I can honestly say, whatever facet of history interests you the most (political, social, economic etc.), you are sure to find the exercises cover a wide range of topics and are tailored with this in mind, as are the tutor-marked assignments.
Researching and writing your own dissertation was another treat, although the dreaded Covid-19 may have put paid to this for many, the invaluable skills that this module teaches you with regards to this advanced level of writing, will surely be very useful to anyone considering an MA or a PhD.
This was my second OU level 3 module and I felt this module complemented the other module entirely, in regards of how to study history objectively and analytically.
For me, this module was an eye-opener into Welsh history, and I came away with some of my preconceptions seriously challenged. I was born in Wales but grew up in England (from the age of 3), so thanks to all who helped me to learn so much in such a short time about the history of Wales.
Do yourself a favour; enrol now!
Philip Savory
Course starting: October 2019
Review posted: July 2020
Fascinating course, I had a lovely, very helpful teacher. I enjoyed just studying about Wales and England. The final paper is wonderful to do, as it is 6000 words long, giving you plenty of words to play with.
Sandra Moss Smith
Course starting: October 2018
Review posted: November 2019
Selection of your own topic for the final dissertation was the best thing I have done with the OU. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy it I also learned a lot about searching for, finding and analysing primary evidence from this process. The platform for this module was different from previous modules and gave much more student interaction which made me think more critically about my own attitudes toward the subject of nationality.
Clive Weed
Course starting: October 2017
Review posted: October 2018
This module was very enjoyable. I initially signed up because I thought it would be different to the standard historical pathway for my degree, and I was not wrong. The way it has been run by the brilliant tutors to the layout of the website made the course really quite enjoyable, and it really opened my mind up about Wales and its effect, not just locally, but on the world around it. I would recommend this course to anyone considering a OU level 3 course.
Chris Pendreigh
Course starting: October 2017
Review posted: October 2018
I was among the first group of students to participate in A329 The Making of Welsh History, which was my first level three module. It was quite different in format to all previous modules with an excellent and clear format. Students study a wide timeline of Welsh history in the first half of the year which I found very engaging, with themed blocks tailored to teach us the necessary skills needed to write a dissertation. Forum participation alongside your peers in small individual activities makes the module an enjoyable experience without feeling isolated by distance learning. Indeed, the forum work was my favourite part of the module due to the interaction and shared ideas.
The second half of the module focuses in producing a dissertation. I liked the freedom given to choose a topic of my own choice, only conditionally linked to a theme contained in the coursework. It is an exciting and very rewarding experience, which brings the wonderful history of Wales to life and gives the opportunity to contribute original work to the academic community. I would highly recommend this module to everyone, if I could participate in A329 again I would!
Sarah Bassett
Course starting: October 2017
Review posted: October 2018
I decided to choose A329 for a couple of reasons. I had sat 2 exam modules the previous year and looked for a module which offered me something different. The option of writing a dissertation sounded perfect for me. I also wanted to look at history from a much more local perspective.
A329 teaches you how to learn and share knowledge like an academic. It enables you to develop your skills of independent research but in a supported and directed way. It's a brilliant first step into delving into history by yourself but the support from the course, your tutors and the other students means that you never feel like you don't know what you're doing.
The online set up works really well and it allows for much more interaction with your fellow students which helps with the isolation that home study can bring. This module is a much more hands on way of learning and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is passionate about history.
You do not need to speak Welsh, live in Wales or have any prior knowledge about Wales to fully engage with this course - I certainly didn't. All you need is the interest in tangible history - some of which you discover all by yourself.
Natalie Owsley
Course starting: October 2017
Review posted: October 2018