Dissertation (History)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| HIST3018 | History | 3 | 40 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- HIST3018
- School
- History
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 40
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
For this module, students must design and carry out an independent historical research project, with the support of their supervisors. Over the course of the year students will:
- identify a topic for research and refine the scope of their project in discussion with their supervisors.
- assess the nature and value of the available primary and secondary sources on the topic
- submit a title and synopsis
- submit a preliminary bibliography and chapter plan
- write the dissertation, an independent piece of research of up to 12,000 words in length
the deadlines for submission of this work, and for the final dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words, are advertised on the module website (Moodle).
Target Students
Students must have taken HIST1001 or HIST1002.
Classes
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 18 weeks
There will be a weekly lecture/study skills session. In addition, students will have regular meetings with their supervisors (no set numbers of hours). Most of the work for the module will be completed by the student independently.
Assessment
- 100% Dissertation: One 10,000-12,000 word dissertation
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The Dissertation is designed to build upon and expand the research skills developed throughout an undergraduate degree in history and its joint schools. The module requires students to design and carry out an independent research project, based on primary sources but in conversation with debates in secondary literature. It seeks to equip students with the skills to act as an independent researcher.Learning Outcomes
a. Knowledge and understanding.
By the end of the module, in their assessed work, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate expertise in the topic of their dissertation research explain and interpret the major underlying forces that shaped the subject of their work and demonstrate an understanding of major events in this process
• Explain and interpret the primary sources and modern historiography relevant to their chosen topic
• evaluate forces of change and continuity at work within the period or topic in question
• show an awareness of the variety of perspectives at work in shaping historical understanding of their subject and reflect critically upon them
b. Intellectual skills.
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• think critically and imaginatively about the subject matter of their dissertation
• identify and address key problems relevant to it
• carry out an independent research project based on primary sources
• interpret primary and secondary sources upon it and be aware of differing historical interpretations of the subject matter
• Critically analyse historiographical arguments in areas relevant to their research topic
• construct coherent and independent historical arguments of their own
c. Professional/practical skills.
The module will develop students' ability to:
• select, sift and synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources
• identify and compare key arguments in those materials
• plan, research and write a sustained piece of historical research
• use IT to access historical sources and information, and complete the dissertation
d. Transferable skills.
The module will also develop students' ability:
• undertake a research project
• manage a large and disparate body of information
• express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing an extended piece of work
• manage and take responsibility for their own learning
• use IT for research and presentation purposes