What does a research project look like? Why is it so integral to the discipline of History? You'll have the opportunity, as a final year student, to engage in exciting independent research on a historical topic under the supervision of a subject specialist. You will engage with the rich historiography of their given topic and discuss and ideas with peers and supervisors in lectures, workshops, and one-to-one settings. You'll also delve into primary research in archives or online and learn how to integrate these findings into a long form written piece. The focus of this module is an in-depth scrutiny of a subject through primary and secondary research. It is designed to encourage your work as as a professional historian (under the guidance of an assigned supervisor), and to put the research skills and training developed earlier in their degree into practice. It will also help foster transferable skill such as: organisation independence and project-management.
Lecture: 6 hours
Workshops/Supervisory Meetings: 12 hours
Autumn and Spring
2,000 words Essay. Assessment Details: Historiographical Review worth 20%.
9,000 words Dissertation. Assessment Details: Dissertation worth 80%. This Assessment is Not Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like-for-like Including composite form of reassessment for failed performance components – written 9,000-word dissertation
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Discover, investigate and evaluate a range of primary sources relevant to their specialist topic of study.
2) Choose, interpret and deploy secondary sources to effectively situate their study in its historiographical context.
3) Build, enact and modify a project management plan that allows time for historical research, organisation/analysis of material and writing up.
4) Design and deliver a piece of independent research based on advanced skills of data analysis and interpretation.
5) Apply skills learned earlier in their degree to produce an extended piece of writing that subscribes to the standards of professional practice.
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