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HIS-20129 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

HIS-20129 - Themes, Debates and Sources in History
Coordinator: Kristen Brill Tel: +44 1782 7 33201
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

There are many varied approaches to studying History. This module will consolidate your understanding of these approaches through a lecture series, and you will choose a strand of theme-based seminars. You will be guided to produce your own research project through group workshops and individual supervisions, developing the key research and analytical skills that will be essential for the individual research project that you will embark on in your final year.

Aims
The module aims to enable students to develop their skills in handling historiographical issues and in source critique; to give students the opportunity to conceive, develop, and produce a personal project of historical research prior to embarking on their level 6 ISP; and to enhance student skills in engaging with different audiences in order to communicate their findings with clarity, authority, and impact.

Intended Learning Outcomes

interrogate historiographical debates in their chosen field of study: 1,2,3
evaluate varieties of source material available to the historian and the advantages and problems of using each: 1,2,3
develop their ability to read and use source materials, both critically and emphatically, while addressing questions of genre, content, perspective and purpose: 1,2,3
critically assess differences of opinion between historians and position themselves within the historiographical field: 1,2,3
present their ideas for a wider public audience in innovative formats: 1,3

Study hours

ACTIVE LEARNING: 48
4 hours of contact time for 12 weeks, with a balance of lectures, seminars and workshops. Individual supervisions will feature in the second half of the module.

INDEPENDENT LEARNING: 252
- Preparation for seminars: 76
- Work on tasks for the Portfolio: 56
- Preparation for the Project (research and writing): 120

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Project weighted 60%
Research project
EITHER (1) an original research essay of c.4000 words, on a question devised by the student in consultation with their seminar tutor/supervisor, where the essay requires the students to demonstrate detailed knowledge of a historiographical or source-based issue OR (2) an essay of c.3000 words plus a public history element (c.1000 words, based on the research for the essay), in the form of a digital resource (e.g. writing text for a website / digital document template) or podcast/videocast/TED-talk style pre-recorded presentation (c.10-15 minutes of recorded video / narrated slideshow), aimed for a broader audience. Indicative templates will be provided. In the case of Option 2, the weighting of the two components would be divided between the essay (2/3) and the public history component (1/3). Students can choose either option. Dedicated training sessions for the digital option will be provided.

2: Portfolio weighted 20%
Project log (c.1000 words)
A project log based on a standard project-management template, that the students will need to complete in stages (with individual deadlines; milestones), mapped onto the lecture and seminar timetable. This will also be used as basis for individual supervision sessions and formative feedback. Milestones may involve (indicative): - defining the area of the project - defining title and argument - producing a project feasibility statement / project pitch - maintaining an annotated bibliography list - identifying key sources - producing an outline - compiling a brief reflection on the angle and medium for the public history component - career reflection

3: Poster weighted 20%
Outreach Session Plan OR Poster
Students will showcase their research project to a non-academic audience (year 10 students), either as an A4 poster or as a plan for a 45-minute outreach session (500 words).

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026