Historical Methodology (P00509)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCL-P-P00509

This course aims to provide an overview of the methodologies and historiographic traditions characteristic of the discipline of history. Sessions will focus on the different types of sources, methodologies, categories of analysis, and fields of enquiry employed by historians as they study the past. Teaching is based on the close reading and discussion of pre-circulated research papers by members of the School of History and Classics. The members of the seminar will discuss the week's paper - paying particular attention to the use of sources and methodology - with its author. It is intended that exposure to the research of a wide range of members of the School of History and Classics will make students aware of the rich variety of methodological approaches that characterise the study of history.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History and Classics, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) 50 minutes per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The main aim of this course is to provide new MSc and first-year PhD history students from across the School of History and Classics with an introduction to sources, approaches and methodologies of historical study. In so doing, this course seeks to:
- Develop an awareness of historiographical issues and their importance for contextualizing research.
- Develop an awareness of the interaction between sources and historical interpretation.
- Develop an awareness of how different types of sources can be combined to address specific historiographical problems.
- Enhance candidates' ability to deal with some practical issues of historiography and historical research at a post-graduate level including problems of effective academic writing.
- Encourage a critical understanding of different historical methodologies and historiographic traditions.
-Enable students to engage with the wider debates of in the field of historical study.
- Encourage post-graduate students to seek a sound theoretical and epistemological foundation for their own work within the field.

Assessment Information

Candidates for the MSc by Research will be examined by means of the 6,000-word essay to be submitted during the first semester. This essay, the specific title of which will be negotiated with the candidate’s supervisor, should address an historiographical question relating to the secondary literature in the candidate’s chosen field. This essay should reflect upon the methodological issues raised by the historical literature under consideration.

Candidates following the various taught MSc courses offered by the School of History and Classics will receive credit for having “duly performed” Historical Methodology. Having consulted their course organizer, candidates should address the themes and issues raised in Historical Methodology in their coursework.