Introduction to History

Code

CELEN065

School

Centre for English Language Education

Level

0

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring China

Summary

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the study of history. Through investigation of a number of historical themes students will be introduced to a number of key historiographical and methodological approaches to the discipline, including: ‘Idealist History’; ‘Progressive History’; ‘Positivist History’; ‘History from Below’; ‘Feminist History; and ‘Post-Colonial History’. Students will also be familiarized with methods of critically analysing historical sources, from the writings of notable figures from the past to visual images such as propaganda posters, in order to decipher what actually happened in the periods they will be studying. Students will thus learn how to uncover meaning, how to detect bias, and ultimately assess the validity of source in recovering events from the past.

There will be a number of topics which this module will focus on when developing this knowledge. Such topics include: Classical Greece; the emergence of the State in Medieval Europe; the philosophical and ideological underpinnings of the British Empire; the experiences of women in Soviet Russia; and the Post Modern Challenge.

There will subsequently be many periods and topics of History which are not covered. It should here be emphasized again that the focus of the module is on introducing students to the key methodologies and approaches in the discipline, not to give a comprehensive or balanced overview of ‘history’. Students are reminded that they will have the opportunity to investigate particular periods and topics in history in more detail and with greater focus in later modules in the School of International Studies.
 

Target Students

UNNC Preliminary Year students only

Classes

• One 1-hour-30-minute seminar each week for 11 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

Assessment

• 50% Coursework 1: Critical analysis of a source
• 50% Exam 1 (1-hour-30-minute): Essay questions end of semester exam

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Discipline Specific Outcomes 
1. To familiarise students with the fundamental methods and techniques associated with the discipline of History. 
2. To introduce students to predominate Historiographical debates. 
3. To enable students to critically assess historical sources

Transferable Skills 
1. To gather evidence about an event, period, or subject. 
2. The ability to think critically about a piece of evidence or writing: to determine what information it gives; how useful this information is; and if the source can be trusted. 
3. The ability to construct an argument or interpretation of a subject from evidence that has been gathered. 
4. The ability to select, sift, and synthesise information and arguments from secondary sources.
5. The ability to demonstrate appropriate referencing skills to create a clear record of research. 
6. The ability to express one’s self in a coherent, logical, and fluent manner, both orally and in writing.
7. To support one’s arguments with critically examined evidence. 8. To work and learn actively with others.
 

Conveners

• Mr William Shipton