HIS-40080 - Subject Specialism I
Coordinator: Rachel Bright Tel: +44 1782 7 33466
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module allows students to develop their knowledge of the history related to their dissertation specialism within a structured weekly classroom setting.
Students will choose an essay topic which will help them situate their specific dissertation topic within the wider literature, either historiography or theory. The exact topics offered will vary from year to year based on the specialisms of the teaching team.

Aims
¿ To learn about the specific history connected to the student's masters dissertation topic in a structured class environment.
¿ To practise History reading, writing and presentations at a masters level.
¿ To reflect on how their own research will fit within existing historiography.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically evaluate the themes and historiographical background of a detailed theme or focused period of history in a highly reflective manner: 1,2
Situate their own dissertation research within existing historiography and wider relevant literature: 1,2
Demonstrate organisational, intellectual, and reflective skills: 1,2
Identify and reflect independently on sources and historiographical debates, developing the capacity for independent thought: 1,2
Communicate critical analysis of a wide range of primary and secondary sources clearly and effectively: 1,2

Study hours

24: 12 x two-hour seminars
12: workshops
4: individual/small group tutorials
120: seminar preparation
140: research and writing for assessments

School Rules

Barred module combinations: Keele graduates may not attend any subject specialism which overlaps with modules already completed at Level 6.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Reflective Diary weighted 20%
Reflective diary of 1500 words or teach one one-hour skills session to level 6 students in extra contact hour
Students can choose between two assessment options: 1. A reflective diary, documenting themes and key readings covered in the weekly classes. Students may choose to reflect on a small selection of topic, rather than keeping a weekly diary. OR 2. Level 7 students will teach one one-hour skills session to level 6 students on the Subject Specialism module. This will take place in the extra hour of contact on History modules. This session could explore skills such as essay writing, primary source analysis, literature review, digital humanities research, etc. The session will be assessed according to two items. First, the submission of a 500-word seminar outline submitted to the tutor ahead of the session outlining the intended learning aims, planned teaching activities and an explanation of how this session will benefit students on the module. Second, the session will be marked on the delivery of the session in terms of effectiveness in achieving the learning aims and student engagement.

2: Essay weighted 80%
Essay 4000 words
An essay on a topic approved in advance by the module tutor, on any aspect of theory, historiography or case study covered in class, which will help the student situate their own research project within the wider literature.