HSMSR1-Historical Skills and Resources

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: m.oliva@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module aims to provide students with the necessary methodological, bibliographical and archival skills in preparation for their dissertation work. The module also introduces material culture and the history of the book as the basis for future training in museum or archival studies.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with the necessary methodological, bibliographical and archival skills in preparation for their dissertation work. The module also introduces material culture and the history of the book as the basis for future training in museum or archival studies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to: •Critically evaluate research methodologies and techniques and their application, especially with respect to the use of a wide range of primary sources •Work independently on a well-defined set of sources •Examine critically the value and relevance of the chosen primary sources •Place the primary sources used in this module within the wider historical and historiographical contexts •Identify the appropriate bibliographical resources •Collate a wide range of primary and secondary information to into a coherent piece of written work •Develop their communication and media skills by presenting their findings in a concise blog post aimed at a non-specialist audience

Additional outcomes:
This module encourages students to work on their own on a set of primary sources and to learn how to manage their project and to select the relevant information among a wide range of primary and secondary sources.

Outline content:

This module is developed in partnership with the Museum of Rural Life (MERL) and Special Collections at the University of Reading. It provides students with hands-on training on primary sources from 1500 onwards. Students will work in the Special Collections Reading Room at MERL. They will first receive four induction sessions from the MA Director and from MERL members of staff. Later, they will work on their own on a set of primary sources in the MERL Reading Room while one member of staff will be of assistance to answer any queries they may have and to give advice. In the Spring Term, they will submit a 4,000 word essay (excluding notes and bibliography) and 300 word blog on the primary source they have studied.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module offers specific training on primary sources in the form of seminars. Students will also have the opportunity to carry out independent study and to manage their own project through hands-on sessions in the MERL Reading Room. The presentation and the essay will help students develop their oral and written communication skills.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module will be assessed by one essay of 4,000 words (excluding endnotes/footnotes and bibliography) and one blog entry (300 words) to be submitted by Monday of Week 1 of Spring Term (full time students) and Monday of Week 5 of the Spring Term (part time or modular students). The blog post of 300 words will be assessed and will count 10% of the overall mark for this module. The essay will count for 90% of the overall mark for this module. There is a 5% leeway on the word count before a penalty is applied.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
A further essay of 4,000 words to be submitted by 1st September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 10 April 2019