HIS-20067 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

Most students who read history as undergraduates tend to read one book (at most) concerned with the question 'What is History?', and they usually do this before they have done any real historical research. Thereafter, their training tends to be conducted 'on the job'. If they reflect on the nature, theory or ideology which underpins what they practice, they tend to focus on issues which surface in assessments, learning that writing which is merely descriptive is not rewarded but that writing which is analytical gains good marks. Via the electives website you are asked to choose between medieval and modern history, or between political and social history, where the nature of the historian's work in each case is left as self-evident.
But ask yourself the following questions:
On what basis do historians claim to 'know' about the past?
Why do historians disagree?
What exactly is history which is 'out of date'?
What is historical evidence?
Aside from the area of their interest, can I tell the difference between any two of the historians who have taught me?
If you can't think how to respond to these questions, should you be able to call yourself a graduate in history? This module has been designed to help you to reflect on the nature of the subject in which you are being trained. We believe that history is a distinctive discipline and that you will acquire a deeper understanding of how it is (and has been) practised, partly by listening and reading, partly by practical experience.

To enable students to develop their skills in handling historiographical issues and in source critique, and to give students the opportunity to develop and produce a personal research project prior to embarking on their level 3 Special Subjects.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse debates historiographically: 1
evaluate varieties of source material available to the historian and the advantages and problems of using each: 1
develop the ability to read and use texts and other source materials, both critically and emphatically, while addressing questions of genre, content, perspective and purpose: 1
evaluate the place of heritage in contemporary understandings of the past: 1
evaluate differences of opinion between historians: 1

Study hours

10 lectures, 10 seminars, 20 hours seminar preparation, 90 hours essay preparation, 20 hours lecture consolidation

School Rules

Pass at level one or appropriate alternative qualifications for visiting students.

Description of Module Assessment