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HIS-10044 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

HIS-10044 - Defining Moments in World History, c.1000-2000
Coordinator: Rachel K Bright Tel: +44 1782 7 33466
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

This module will introduce students to a series of key moments in world history, c.1000-2000. Through lectures and seminars, students will learn about specific 'moments' of history, while the core skills needed to study History at university will be embedded in the teaching. The focus on particular 'moments' will allow staff to introduce students to a range of different kinds of history, and help students begin to understand change over the past 1000 years of global history. This will also introduce students to the range of historical research undertaken by History staff at Keele - the questions asked; the techniques used; the historical writing produced and its relevance to today. Key moments may include the Mongol Invasion of Europe, 1237-40, the 1440 Invention of the Printing Press, the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution, and the 1933 Bauhaus movement.

Aims
The module introduces students to a series of linked `defining moments¿ in the history of the world over the last thousand years. These key `moments¿ have been selected so as, taken together, (a) to offer an engaging historical survey of the last millennium and (b) to help students gain a deep understanding of both continuity and change in history. The module also aims to acquaint students with different kinds of history, different types of historical sources, and different skills (embedded into seminar teaching) that are central to the discipline and will prepare them for their more advanced study of the subject.

Intended Learning Outcomes

understand the contested nature of the study of the past: 1,2,3,4
read and take notes, both from lectures and reading, effectively: 1,2,3,4,5
present an argument orally and in written formats: 1,2,3,4
develop discipline-specific skills such as bibliographic skills and literature searches: 2,4,5
reflect on what makes a moment `defining¿, in the short and long term: 1,2,4
gain an understanding of continuity and change in global history over the last millennium: 1,4
acquaint themselves with, and appreciate, the diversity of approaches and practices in the discipline of history: 1,2,4
work with both broad historical themes and with specific empirical evidence related to particular historical topics and contexts: 1,2,3,4
gain a good understanding of global history over the last millennium: 1,2,4

Study hours

24 one-hour lectures, 24 one-hour seminars, 24 one-hour workshops, 80 seminar preparation
10 prepare for the online quiz
30 article summary and critique
40 research and write primary source analysis 20 research and write group presentation
68 research and write essay.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 15%
Article Summary and Critique 1000 words
1000 words. Using the article given to you by your seminar tutor, write a one sentence summary of the article, a c.150 word description of the article, and the remainder should be a critique of the article.

2: Commentary weighted 20%
Primary Source Commentary
1000 words source analysis, choosing one from the primary sources provided.

3: Group Presentation weighted 15%
Group Presentation
This is a 10 minute presentation about a 'moment', with 2-3 people in each group, including a handout or PowerPoint presentation, which must be uploaded to KLE before the seminar. A single mark will be given to the group based both on the presentation itself and the submitted work.

4: Essay weighted 40%
2000-word essay
2000-word essay, chosen from a list provided.

5: Ungraded Assessment weighted 10%
Online Quiz: How to Do History at University
This online quiz will ask 20 questions about how to do History at university, such as referencing, using the library, and what History is.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and 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/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022