Postgraduate Taught

The new MA in History provides distinctive opportunities for postgraduate study in History at Keele. It provides coverage of the attempts of human beings in past societies, from the Middle Ages to the very recent past, to organise life materially and conceptually, individually and collectively. It enables students to engage critically with the contested nature of the past and the role of the discipline as a mediator for understanding both the past and the present.

The Masters programme aims to enable students to:

• Understand historical change over time and the nature of human societies in the past.
• Develop the ability to construct an historical argument, and to present this coherently, economically and elegantly with the appropriate supporting evidence
• Deepen their historical knowledge of a variety of periods, places, topics and themes.
• Evaluate and critically assess a range of different kinds of primary sources and to use them appropriately in the development of historical analysis relevant at Masters Level.
• Evaluate and critically assess secondary sources and historiographical debates, and to use them appropriately in the development of historical analysis relevant at Masters Level.
• Develop the ability to research, plan and write a substantial independent project.
• Work both constructively and critically, by themselves and as part of a team, to deliver specific projects.
• Develop research skills commensurate with postgraduate study in the field of History.
• Reflect productively on their strengths, weaknesses, and methods of learning.

Applicants should normally have a good honours degree (2.1 or above) in History or other relevant humanities subject. Applicants with other qualifications and other experience are considered on a case by case basis.

Students will take four core modules

Approaches to Historical Research (30 Credits), introduces different approaches to the research and writing of history, engages with debates on the status of historical knowledge, and examines the sources and resources available.

Research Skills for Historians (15 Credits), addresses issues of postgraduate research in History, and is designed to help students with the planning, researching and writing of their dissertation

Directed Reading in History (15 credits), introduces students to critical debates in particular themes or periods of History.

A Dissertation (60 credits) which allows students to produce their own piece of independent historical research (of 15-20,000 words), guided by a supervisor who will be a world-leading expert in the field

In addition, students take two further 30-credit options from a range of enhanced level 3 modules. Typical choices include:

The Kingship of Edward II, parts I and II
The English Civil War, 1640-46
The English Revolution,  c.1646-53
Sickness and Suffering? Health, illness and medicine 1628-1808
From Sawbones to Social Hero? Doctors and medicine 1808-1886
TheFrench Revolution: Monarchy to Republic, 1789-1792
The French Revolution: Terror and Dictatorship, 1793-1799
Re-constructing Eastern Europe, 1918-2000:  Space, Place & Society
Constructing Eastern Europe, 1800-1918:  Space, Place & Society
Suffrage Stories: Lifestories
Suffrage Stories: Representations
The Partition of India, parts I and II
The Making of Contemporary Africa, parts I and II
The Art of Dying: Death and Society in Medieval and Early Modern Europe

Modules are generally taught through a combination of seminars, workshops, small group discussions and individual supervision. There is a strong emphasis on independent learning and students are expected to work on their own to produce written work and dissertation. Assessment is diverse through the use of coursework essays, reflective diary, presentation, project outline, annotated bibliography. For full-time students, taught modules are completed by May, leaving the summer months for students to write their dissertation.

The pass mark is 50%. A merit will be awarded where students obtain 60% or over for the dissertation (or equivalent project or performance) and an average of 60% on their other coursework. A distinction will be awarded where students obtain 70% or over for the dissertation, and an average of 70% in their other coursework.