HST6812: The Eighteenth Century: Research Approaches
30 credits (semester 1)
Module Leader: Professor Bob Shoemaker
Team: Dr Karen Harvey; Dr Madeleine Callaghan; Dr Joe Bray; Dr Hamish Mathison; Dr David McCallam
| Module Summary |
This module introduces students in their first year of postgraduate study to methodological issues raised by the interdisciplinary study of the eighteenth century. The module provides an introduction to recent and current academic debates and research methods in the field. Students will work with a range of sources in the context of wider thematic discussions, examining a variety of source materials, ranging from novels and poetry, through newspapers and letters, to paintings and artefacts. Throughout, students will consider a range of interpretative issues, and will be encouraged to locate their readings of eighteenth-century sources within appropriate historiographical or methodological debates.
| Teaching |
Staff-led seminars, based on areas of staff research and expertise, will introduce students to specific texts, sources, practices and theoretical writings, which will be discussed in detail. Students may also be required to present a short assessed research paper. Students will be taught by subject specialists from the History and English departments, with the possibility of classes led by staff from other departments (eg. Music and Modern Languages). Each theme will bring into focus a current debate in the field from the perspectives of the two contributing disciplines. Students will be set preparatory reading in advance and will be expected to share their knowledge of the sources and historiographical and methodological issues, debate controversial topics and listen and respond to the views of others in a structured environment. Students will, in addition, have a tutorial with a staff member in which to discuss the work they will write for assessment for this module.
| Assessment |
Students will complete one written paper of 6,000 words. The work should engage with one or more of the concepts or themes of the module through a case-study/case-studies. It should demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical engagement with current historiography, and advanced skills in the use of sources.
The particular focus of your study should be agreed with a tutor on the module. You should inform the module convenor the general area of interest, and s/he will advise you on a suitable supervisor. If you are unsure about the area of focus, please do discuss this with the module convenor. You should have a working title and known supervisor by Week 5.
| Intended Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the interface between historical and literary approaches to the field.
- Demonstrate an understanding of philosophical and theoretical debates relevant to the field.
- The ability to work co-operatively or individually as appropriate, using material drawn from eighteenth-century sources.
- The ability to understand the broad frameworks and some specific fields of current academic debate within the wider eighteenth-century research community.
- The ability to identify and access resources, archives and information sources germane to the field.
- An understanding of a selection of research methods, tools and techniques appropriate for research in the eighteenth century.
- The ability to identify and engage with problems attendant on the management of primary sources and texts from the eighteenth century.
- The fuller identification of their own research interests and areas of expertise, and a concomitant ability to identify areas of knowledge that may require subsequent exploration and strengthening.
- Be able to talk and write about a diverse range of written, visual and material sources intelligently and to use them confidently in support of independent scholarly argument.