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HIS-40092 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

HIS-40092 - The Theory and Practice of Historical Research
Coordinator: Shalini Sharma Room: CBB1.060 Tel: +44 1782 7 33206
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module will help you navigate the world of historical theory and practice. You'll be encouraged to engage with the different ways that history is researched and presented within and outside academia; you'll be able to test different theories on your own research idea; and you'll be given the opportunity to refine your presentation, writing, and analytical and organisational skills through the assessments for this module. Designed to help you think through and even rethink your own historical research at each stage of its development, this core module encapsulates the expertise and support of the history team (and beyond) that is there to guide you through your Master's programme.

Aims
This module is designed to encourage students to explore different approaches to the practice, research, and dissemination of varieties of history at an advanced level. Students taking the module will develop an understanding of different types of historical evidence and archive, and how they are used in the creation of histories, and they will reflect on the different types of historical research practised in academia, heritage bodies, and public history.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically engage with different approaches to the research and writing of history: 1,2,3
evaluate historical practice in a variety of sites from the research seminar to a heritage museum: 1,2
reflect on the application of theory on their own historical research and methodology: 1,2,3
develop critical and analytical writing skills: 1,3
communicate complex concepts and argument in discussion and oral presentations: 2

Study hours

12 x 2-hour seminars
attendance at a minimum of 2 research seminars (internal or external) c.4 hours
80 hours seminar preparation
40 hours preparing the presentation
40 hours preparing the annotated bibliography
112 hours researching and writing the essay


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 60%
An essay of 3000 words
Students will devise their own question with support from their tutor and write a 3000-word essay reflecting on one or two historical approaches as discussed in the module and apply the approach(es) to their emerging research question(s)

2: Presentation weighted 20%
Presentation (c.10 minutes)
A 10-minute presentation in which students are asked to analyse and evaluate a current history research seminar (within or outside Keele). Slides plus a short (max 250 word reflection on the process in the notes section) will be submitted to the KLE after the presentation.

3: Research Report weighted 20%
Annotated Bibliography
Students will write an annotated bibliography of the key sources they propose to use for their final project, commenting on those primary and secondary sources and the ways in which they intend to use them to answer their research questions. Length: 1000 words. The feedback will aid the student’s final dissertation/project submission.

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: 04 December 2025