Module HIST41730: Historical Research Methods

Department: History

HIST41730: Historical Research Methods

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• to gain knowledge and understanding of the skills and methods appropriate to pursuing independent historical research at an advanced level, and to apply those skills and methods to a specified area of history.

Content

• This course introduces students to some of the major skills necessary for any historical research. It is divided into two parts taught concurrently. The first introduces students to key problems such as developing appropriate research questions and strategies; understanding the nature of printed and online bibliographies and searching techniques; an awareness of the nature and evolution of different types of archive; an appreciation of some of the problems involved in using various types of sources; and a broad understanding of the problems involved in applying any set of theoretical propositions to empirical evidence. The second section encourages the development of independent research skills by requiring the application of this knowledge to a specific field (normally the intended dissertation topic) to produce a literature review and a dissertation proposal.

Learning Outcomes

• advanced knowledge and understanding of the skills and methods appropriate to independent historical research
• a knowledge and understanding of the advanced historiography in a specified area of history

• Subject specific skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

• Key skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Student learning is facilitated by a range of teaching methods.
• Seminars and Group Discussion require students to reflect on and discuss: their prior knowledge and experience; set reading of secondary and, where appropriate, primary readings; information provided during the session. They provide a forum in which to assess and comment critically on the findings of others, defend their conclusions in a reasoned setting, and advance their knowledge and understanding of history. Individual supervision provides a forum in which ongoing work can be discussed in a focused manner with a subject expert, and in which the student is able to acquire and enhance their knowledge and understanding of a specialised field.
• Structured reading requires students to focus on set materials integral to the knowledge and understanding of the module. It specifically enables the acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills which will be discussed in other areas of the teaching and learning experience.
• Assessment is by means of two written reports: a 2500 word literature review requires the student to demonstrate abilities in gathering and assessing relevant information, and advanced knowledge and understanding of a specific historiographical area. A 2500 word dissertation proposal requires the student to outline a topic for research, to reflect upon appropriate research questions, and to formulate realistic strategies for answering them. Work must be presented in a clearly written and structured form, and with appropriate apparatus

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments delivered orally and discussed in a group context; supervisor comments on a draft of each written report.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University