School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-10030 Historical Research and Writing  
Co-ordinator: Dr Robert Gray   Tel:34258  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Dr Philip  Morgan, Dr Alannah Tomkins, Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Dr Rachel  Bright, Mr Craig  Doughty, Dr Benjamin  Anderson  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 1)
American Studies Minor (Level 1)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 1)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Prerequisites
None

Barred Combinations
None

Description

This course introduces first-year students to the study of History at university. It will provide you with the particular skills you will need to study History and which you will apply throughout your degree course. Your tutor will devise a historical topic or debate through which to identify and apply the skills needed to undertake historical research and writing. The lecture programme provides an introduction to the practises expected of and the resources available to a History student at Keele. It also introduces you to the range of historical research undertaken by History staff at Keele - the questions asked; the techniques used; the range of historical writing produced and its relevance to today. Small group seminars supported by a series of exercises will provide the means to locate the acquisition and development of skills within the study of a specific historical debate or topic.

The course is assessed by a number of written exercises and an essay. Although primarily designed for History students, this course will also appeal to students of other Humanities and Social Science subjects.
Aims
To introduce students to the skills required to study History at university. In particular, to develop discipline-specific skills such as bibliographic skills and literature searches; historical writing; the evaluation and interpretation of primary and secondary sources; the application of key historical concepts.
Intended Learning Outcomes
use the library and electronic resources to locate and critically evaluate secondary sources will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,4
distinguish between different types of historical sources and their uses will be achieved by assessments: 3,4
use appropriate citations and bibliographic conventions and understand what plagiarism is will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
distinguish between narrative and analysis and be able to structure an argument will be achieved by assessments: 4
understand the contested nature of history will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,4
Study hours
10 lectures, 10 seminars, 30 seminar preparation, 40 research and write lecture log and associated exercises, 10 research and write bibliography and essay plan, 10 research and write document exercise, 40 research and write essay.
Description of Module Assessment
01: Essay-Plan
Essay plan with bibliography
Essay plan with supporting bibliography, properly formatted including books and articles. This is in preparation for the coursework essay.
02: Portfolio weighted 40%
Exercises forming a lecture log
Exercises relating to 5-7 lectures, with a total word count of 1500-2000 words
03: Exercise weighted 20%
document exercise
A critical commentary on a set of primary sources.
04: Essay weighted 40%
An essay of c.2000 words
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.