Module HIST45530: Writing the medieval and early modern past

Department: History

HIST45530: Writing the medieval and early modern past

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• • HIST4???? Reading the medieval and early modern past

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to a range of key themes, movements and institutions for study in the medieval and early modern periods.
• To introduce students to ways of examining change and continuity over the longue durée.
• To enable students to develop advanced skills in analysing and using a variety of different types of evidence for the medieval and early modern periods.
• To enable students to develop essential research skills for the successful completion of an MA programme in medieval and early modern studies.
• To enable students to develop their written and oral communication skills.
• To study the emergence and development of a range of major issues in the medieval and early modern periods through focused study of multiple types of evidence.

Content

• This module focuses on major themes, movements and institutions which can be examined across the whole medieval and early modern period, and which can be best explained by close study of change and continuity over a long period of time. A number of these themes will invite interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approaches, and thus will allow students to develop their skills in bringing together different kinds of evidence for the study of the past.
• There will be ten fortnightly two-hour seminars, each taught by one or more specialists. Each seminar will take as its focus a major topic in the study of the medieval and early modern past, and students will be encouraged to focus in on areas within each topic which are of particular relevance to their own research interests.
• In addition to the seminars there will be an initial one-hour set-up meeting which will include an introduction to the module and to the means of assessment. There will also be two workshops: 1) a two-hour workshop on public speaking to prepare for giving presentations; 2) a two-hour skills workshop on writing research proposals and effective CVs.
• Students will be required to read specified items in advance of each seminar, and encouraged to engage in further reading afterwards. For each seminar one or two students will be asked to prepare a presentation as a way of opening up discussion and offering an in-depth examination of some of the issues to be discussed.
• The topics chosen for study will depend on staff availability in any given year but might include any of the following: Science; Architecture; the Papacy; Heresy; Archives; Renaissance; Reform; the Other; Tragedy; Empire; Education; Death; Diplomacy; Governance; Magic; Travel; Philosophical questions; Economy; Landscape. • Students will submit a research proposal and a CV during the first term for formative assessment; presentations in seminars will also offer the opportunity for ongoing formative assessment.
• The summative assessment for the module will have two components. 1) Students will submit an essay of up to 4000 words, on a topic connected with the themes of the module. Students should devise their own questions in consultation with the module co-ordinator and/or one of the tutors teaching on the module. Students must submit their questions to the module co-ordinator during Week 2 of Epiphany Term. This will be worth 80% of the mark for the module. 2) Students will prepare and present one 15-minute paper, followed by 5 minutes of questions. This will take place at a ‘conference’ near the beginning of Easter Term, where all students taking the module will present to each other. This will be worth 20% of the mark for the module.

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the key themes explored in the module, and of the interpretations made by scholars from a range of disciplinary traditions and periods.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the evidence and contexts which explain the issues of continuity and change across the medieval and early modern period examined in the module.

• An ability to use and interrogate a range of source materials relevant to the medieval and early modern period.
• An ability to understand social, political, religious and cultural changes and trajectories by means of a variety of different kinds of evidence.

• A high level of ability in writing cogently and persuasively on a specialised topic within the subject area of the module, drawing on the work of previous scholars as necessary.
• A high level of ability in formulating questions for research into the medieval and early modern past.
• A high level of ability in leading and presenting discussion and debate across a variety of media (written work, oral presentations, seminar discussions etc.).

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

• Teaching is delivered through seminars and workshops; participation in these and the independent reading required for these will enable students to achieve the module’s specified learning outcomes.
• Students will be allocated an advisor (who may be their dissertation supervisor) to work on the research proposal and CV, and who will offer guidance on preparation for the essay and the assessed presentation.
• Formative assessment will involve at least one presentation within seminars, and the production of a research proposal and CV (to be submitted by Week 8 of Michaelmas Term).
• The summative assessment for the module has two parts. 1) An essay of up to 4000 words, on a question/topic to be devised by the student in consultation with a module tutor and/or the student’s dissertation supervisor. This is worth 80% of the mark for the module. 2) A 15-minute presentation (with 5 minutes of questions). This is worth 20% of the mark for the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

At least one seminar presentation; a research proposal and CV to be submitted by the end of Michaelmas Term.

■ 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