HIS4712 - The Historian's Craft

Objectives:

On the successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate an awareness of historical methodology through a knowledge of two periods of history;
(2) show an understanding of the range of primary sources available to the historian and the limitations and advantages of these types of sources;
(3) assess historians' approaches to historical research and how these might be employed in interpreting historical sources;
(4) present an essay and short report including all the necessary supporting information and academic apparatus;
(5) use appropriate ICT at a basic level.

Content:

The module introduces students to the process of historical investigation through a case study (eg the revolt of Queen Boudicca), which includes a contextual survey followed by research using primarily secondary sources. A variety of skills are developed including hypothesis testing and assessment of change and continuity. The problems and perspectives discovered in the first exercise are elaborated in a second case study (eg Victorian Leeds). Students analyse a broad range of primary sources, considering the accuracy and bias of each type of source, assessing their value to historians.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning will be supported through seminars, and workshops, with use of video, fieldwork, and student report-back sessions.

Seminars/Workshops
Contact hours 40
Number of groups 2

Assessment:

001 Assessed Essay 1 x 1500 words (end of sem 1) 30%
002 Report 1 x 1500 words (end of sem 2) 30%
003 Unseen paper 1 x1.5 hour (end of sem 2) 40%


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