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HIS-20117 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 29 June 2024

HIS-20117 - Themes, Debates and Sources in History
Coordinator: Aristotle Kallis Tel: +44 1782 7 34145
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Many people presume that the nature of the historian¿s work is self-evident ¿ to find out what happened in the past. The results of historical research, however, give rise to debates rather than truths. This module ensures that everyone graduating in History at Keele has spent some time thinking about history conceptually and about the basis on which historians claim to know about the past. Lectures and workshops will introduce you to different types of and approaches to history whilst you will develop your own research in theme-based seminars. The module is designed as preparation for your final year dissertation; as such, towards the end of the module we will move from seminar-based group discussions to individual supervisions, as you will experience in your final year.

Aims
The module aims to enable students to develop their skills in handling historiographical issues and in source critique; to give students the opportunity to conceive, develop, and produce a personal project of historical research prior to embarking on their level 6 ISP; and to enhance student skills in engaging with different audiences in order to communicate their findings with clarity, authority, and impact.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse historiographical debates in their chosen field of study: 1,2
evaluate varieties of source material available to the historian and the advantages and problems of using each: 1
develop their ability to read and use source materials, both critically and emphatically, while addressing questions of genre, content, perspective and purpose: 1
recognise the role of heritage in contemporary understandings of the past: 1
assess critically differences of opinion between historians and position themselves within the historiographical field: 1
ideate, plan, manage and execute an independent project of historical research: 1,2
present their ideas for a wider public audience in innovative digital formats: 1

Study hours

ACTIVE LEARNING: 98
- Lectures: 24
- Workshops: 24
- Seminars: 16
- Individual Supervision: 10
- Structured engagement with online resources: 24
INDEPENDENT LEARNING: 202
- Preparation for seminars: 36
- Work on tasks for the Portfolio: 36
- Preparation for the Project (research and writing): 130

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Project weighted 75%
Research project
EITHER (1) an original research essay of c.4000 words, on a question devised by the student in consultation with their seminar tutor/supervisor, where the essay requires the students to demonstrate detailed knowledge of a historiographical or source-based issue OR (2) an essay of c.3000 words plus a public history element (c.1000 words, based on the research for the essay), in the form of a digital resource (e.g. writing text for a website / digital document template) or podcast/videocast/TED-talk style pre-recorded presentation (c.10-15 minutes of recorded video / narrated slideshow), aimed for a broader audience. Indicative templates will be provided. In the case of Option 2, the weighting of the two components would be divided between the essay (2/3) and the public history component (1/3). Students can choose either option and they need to state their preference by Wk6 of Semester 1. Dedicated training sessions for the digital option will be provided.

2: Portfolio weighted 25%
Project log (c.1000 words)
A year-long project log based on a standard project-management template, that the students will need to complete in stages (with individual deadlines; milestones), mapped onto the lecture and seminar timetable. This will also be used as basis for individual supervision sessions and formative feedback. Milestones may involve (indicative): - defining the area of the project - defining title and argument - producing a project feasibility statement / project pitch - maintaining an annotated bibliography list - identifying key sources - producing an outline - compiling a brief reflection on the angle and medium for the public history component - career reflection

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: 29 June 2024