Module HCH-2051:
Making History

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Prof Peter Shapely

Overall aims and purpose

The past is complex and can be interpreted in different ways and different forms of historical evidence or understood differently which can lead to divergent interpretations. It is very easy to think of the past as something given, solid and fixed, which merely has to be researched to be understood. Disagreements between historians suggest, however, the past is open to debate, there are diverse views which give rise to controversies . There is even a sense in which people create different pasts as they describe and present history for different purposes.

This course has tow main objectives. First, it aims to acquaint students with some of the ways in which the past has been constructed by historians and others; and to stimulate thought about how such various understandings of history might affect the way they view the past. Students will be challenged to wonder whether there is an objective, true’ past that we can recover; and whether professional historians come closer to describing areal’ past than politicians or popularisers.

Second, students will be expected to apply this enhanced level of understanding to the student's own research interests. This will form part of the initial prepatory work for the dissertation. Students will choose the topic they intend to study. They will then conduct a literature search and a literature review, specific to this chosen area of research. This will lead them into the actual dissertation.

Course content

The first part of the course is concerned with the use of the past made by historians and commentators such as politicians, the way traditions are invented (and destroyed), and introduces the different historiographical schools. It will look at various ideas about the study and writing of history which have developed over the last two centuries and which students need to understand in order to engage confidently with the different approaches which professional historians take to their work.

The second part will focus entirely on preparing for the dissertation. Students will be told about the structure and process behind the dissertation. They will choose a topic and will then discuss their ideas with a supervisor. Students will then conduct a literature search and a literature review, specific to this chosen area of research. These will be discussed with the supervisor. 1. Hist 2. Hist 3. Hist 4. Hist 5. Hist 6. Broad introduction to the dissertation. 7. Subject specific introduction to the dissertation. 8. Discuss the topic with a supervisor. 9. Do a literature search/bibliography and report back to the supervisor. 10. Draft a literature review and discuss it with the supervisor. Agree on a timetable for the dissertation.

Learning outcomes

Assessment Methods

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Resources

Resource implications for students

None.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/hch-2051.html

Reading list

One has already been provided.

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: