THIS, says Dr John Young, is such an historic part of Glasgow.

We're in the precinct of Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland's finest surviving building from the 12th century.

"There is so much of historical interest in this area," says Dr Young, a senior lecturer in history at Strathclyde University's School of Humanities.

"Glasgow's origins as a city can be traced back as far as the 6th century with the arrival of St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow.

"The 12th century was really important too, with the construction of the Cathedral and the establishment of the Glasgow Fair.

"So in this one area you have the Cathedral. Nearby there is the statue of the explorer David Livingstone. At the side of the 18th century Royal Infirmary you have Queen Victoria. The Strathclyde University campus itself is at the heart of the medieval city.

"There are so many aspects of the city's identity, just in this one location. Further down the road, of course, you have Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in the city, BUILT IN 1471. as well as the historic High Street."

In 1297, William Wallace, he adds, once fought a battle, The Battle of the Braes, in what is now the High Street.

History, in short, is all around us, especially in Scotland's largest city.

Dr Young is here today with Amanda Valentine, a second year History and Politics Student at Strathclyde, one of the 234 students from around the world who are taking part in a new and innovative 10-week course, Glasgow: History, Culture and Identity.

Most of the 234 students are Scottish, but there is also an international cohort from North America, Canada, France, Poland and Lithuania.

"We thought this was a good time to re-assess the history of the city, in the aftermath of such high-profile events as the Commonwealth Games and the independence referendum," Dr Young says of the course.

"It's the only course of its type and it's quite new and innovative. In Paris you can find courses about the history of that city. You can do the same in London, so there's an intellectual fit to this Glasgow course, too.

"It draws on a lot of the expertise available within the university," he added. "It draws on different disciplines such as history, architecture and health, and how the city has been represented in literature and on film.

"The students seem to be loving the course. They have to go out and engage with the city, by venturing out to see it for themselves and to go on tours. The aim really is to encourage them to experience a vibrant and dynamic city."

Useful resources suggested to the students range from the Mitchell Library and the Glasgow Story website and the Medieval City Map and Calton Heritage trails.

As well as attending weekly lectures and tutorials they have been encouraged to tour such places as the Cathedral and Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum, and to walk through the Merchant City, much of which was built on the proceeds of the slave trade.

Other recommended visits include a Glasgow Warriors rugby game, a concert at the BarrowlandS, the Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Police Museum, the Hampden Experience at the national stadium and the Doulton Fountain near the People's Palace - the world's largest terracotta fountain.

An intriguing part of the course asks them to watch a range of films, all of which depict elements of Glasgow history or Glasgow life.

They include Just Another Saturday, American Cousins, Carla's Song, Comfort and Joy, The Angel's Share, Young Adam and Madeleine - David Lean's 1950 film about Madeleine Smith, who was tried in 1857 for the murder of her lover, Emile L'Angelie.

The recommended reading list includes William McIlvanney's Laidlaw and Denise Mina's Garnethill Trilogy.

The Strathclyde course will end by looking at the future of Glasgow in a global context.

Dr Young said: "What we are doing is looking at the past, the present and the future of Glasgow and putting it in a global context in order to assess its place in the world.

"The course links the city's past to its present, exploring not just its history but also TO new developments such as the regeneration of the East End and the extension of the Merchant City.

"This ties in with the aims of Strathclyde's Institute for Future Cities, which is seeking ways to enhance the quality of life in urban areas.

"The City Observatory gathers and interprets data on the urban environment, and the Glasgow Atlas has a visualised city map with layers of information on Glasgow, from health to house prices," he adds.