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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of History, Classics and Archaeology : Postgraduate (History, Classics and Archaeology)

Postgraduate Course: Themes in Scottish Historiography (PGHC11483)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of History, Classics and Archaeology CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is aimed at students on the MSc in Scottish History but is available to students on other programmes. Themes in Scottish Historiography offers students an overview of the major debates, schools, and methodologies associated with history of Scotland. Given the extent of the literature, students will sample Scottish historiography by reading a series of designated texts each week.
Course description This course uses a series of prominent works to introduce you to some of the major topics, issues, and debates in the historiography of Scotland. Rather than providing a comprehensive survey of the field, it offers the opportunity to discuss and analyse in depth a small number of historiographical landmarks. Each week we will focus on one book and discuss its arguments, its methodology, its strengths and weaknesses, and its contribution to Scottish historical scholarship. This course is aimed at students on the MSc in Scottish History and it is also available as an option for students on other MSc programmes. Students should gain an enhanced understanding of some of the main topics, issues, and debates in Scottish historiography. Through detailed analysis of significant works, students will develop critical awareness of how historians engage in historical debate and an understanding of the connections between historical argument, methodology, and sources. Students will also develop their skills as participants in discussion, and they will write an essay and a review that demonstrates historiographical awareness.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) One 4000 word essay (80%)
One 500 word review (20%)
Feedback Students will receive feedback regularly throughout the course, including on ideas for their written work and written feedback when that written work has been assessed.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a detailed and critical command of the body of knowledge concerning the historiography of Scotland
  2. Analyse and reflect critically upon relevant scholarship concerning Scottish historiography
  3. Develop and sustain original scholarly arguments in oral and written form by independently formulating appropriate questions and utilising relevant evidence considered in the course
  4. Demonstrate originality and independence of mind and initiative; intellectual integrity and maturity; an ability to evaluate the work of others, including peers; and a considerable degree of autonomy
Reading List
G. W. S. Barrow, Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland (1965; 4th edn., Edinburgh, 2005)

Barbara E. Crawford, Scandinavian Scotland (Leicester, 1987)

George Elder Davie, The Democratic Intellect: Scotland and her Universities in the Nineteenth Century (1961; 3rd edn., Edinburgh, 2013)

A.A.M. Duncan, The Kingship of the Scots, 842 - 1292: Succession and Independence (Edinburgh, 2002)

James Hunter, The Making of the Crofting Community (1976; 3rd edn. Edinburgh, 2011)

Colin Kidd, Subverting Scotland's Past: Scottish Whig Historians and the Creation of an Anglo-British Identity, 1689 - 1830 (Cambridge, 1993)

Christina Larner, Enemies of God: The Witch-Hunt in Scotland (London, 1981)

Iain McLean, The Legend of Red Clydeside (Edinburgh, 1983)

T. C. Smout, A History of the Scottish People, 1560-1830 (London, 1969)
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills - Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues, or issues that are informed by forefront developments in the subject/
discipline/sector.
- Identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract problems and issues.
- Develop original and creative responses to problems and issues.
- Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in a subject/discipline/sector.
- Deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in situations in the absence of complete or consistent data/information.
Use some routine skills, for example:
- Produce and respond to simple but detailed written and oral communication in familiar contexts.
- Use the basic features of familiar ICT applications to process and obtain information.
- Work alone or with others on tasks with minimum directive supervision.
- Agree goals and responsibilities for self and/or work team.
- Take lead responsibility for some tasks.
- Show an awareness of own and/or others; roles, responsibilities and requirements in carrying out work and contribute to the evaluation and
improvement of practices and processes.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Alasdair Raffe
Tel: (0131 6)51 4269
Email: Alasdair.Raffe@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Cristina Roman
Tel: (0131 6)50 4577
Email: Cristina.Roman@ed.ac.uk
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