HIS5702 - Problems in History

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
analyse the problems posed by historical sources and the complexity and diversity which exists within historical explanation through a specific, in-depth historiographical case-study.
demonstrate sufficient understanding of the issues and arguments to begin to make their own decision for the evidence presented by other historians;
Apply their understanding of how and why an historical debate develops to an additional historical problem/topic.
Enhance essay-writing,teamwork, and oral presentation and communication skills.

Content:

This module has two sections. In the first section (lasting about five weeks), students are guided through one of the key debates in history, learning to identify how and why historians interpret events differently and coming to understand how a historical debate develops. In the second part (lasting about four weeks), small groups of students will choose (within a range of prescribed topics) a particular historical debate to research through reading of contextual scholarship, and will use the skills and understanding they have gained in the first part of the module to analyse how and why historical interpretations have changed. The tutor/tutors involved will provide the students with a preliminary bibliography and tutorial support, but students will be expected to work independently and collaboratively towards the final assessment. Precise topics offered each year for each section will depend on staffing. Indicative topics include: The Italian Renaissance, British Imperialism, Alfred the Great, Witchcraft, or the First Crusade. Students will be strongly encouraged to develop their independent reading skills and use of electronic resources to access eg journal articles.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning will be supported through weekly sessions which will include mini-lectures as introductory plenaries, and workshops that will include student report back/presentations, posterwork, and group exercises. The module will conclude with group project work, supported by tutorials. Workshops
Hours: 30
Intended group size: 35

Group Tutorials
Hours: 1
Intended group size: 4

Guided independent study
Hours: 169

Further details relating to assessment
The essay will focus on the historical debate explored in the first part of the module. The group oral presentation will focus on the topic selected by each group in the second part of the module, and will include the presentation of a group-authored hand-out, summarising the content of the presentation with appropriate use of academic apparatus. Groups will consist of four students.

Assessment: