HS0PE-Perspectives in the Humanities

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof David Stack
Email: d.a.stack@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

One of the key features of the Humanities is the willingness and ability to understand any given problem, event, object, or text from a variety of perspectives. These different perspectives might be historical (understanding a question or individual within a given historical context); moral (understanding a choice or dilemma from different ethical or religious viewpoints); or self-reflective (understanding how our own viewpoint and experiences influence our selection and interpretation of evidence).

Each week the module will introduce students to new case studies that extend their appreciation of these different points of views, and the techniques needed to identify, analyse, and compare different perspectives.

Aims:

The aim of this module is develop each student’s awareness of a range of perspectives, in order to better equip them for the study of Classics, History, and Philosophy.

This will be achieved through the use of a series of case studies, drawn from all three subject areas, which will develop the skills common to them all, and introduce students colleagues and approaches from across the School.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be:

• · Able to carry out research at undergraduate level, including discovering complex information and evidence and responding imaginatively to research tasks.


• · Able to present information within wider contexts.


• · Able to analyse material and articulate their ideas, in writing and orally.


• · Able to plan their written and oral output effectively.


• · Able to manage their study time productively.


• · Confident in the use of the university’s VLE and other learning technologies.


• · Familiar with groupwork and independent study techniques at university.

Additional outcomes:

• · Achieving a good understanding of identity as it is examined at undergraduate level.


• · The ability to plan an assignment and reference it correctly.


• · Working effectively in groups for study.


• · Demonstrating knowledge of the relationships between different genres and different media.


• · Planning forward for a BA programme at Part 1.


• · Grasping the learning that takes place from a wide variety of sources, with the aid of various learning events, including lectures, seminars and workshops.?

Outline content:

The module will explore four key themes in appreciating different perspectives in the Humanities: reading and researching; thinking and discussing; presenting and representing; and ethics and empathy. Each of these elements will be explored through a range of case studies and a diverse set of source materials, including texts, manuscripts, artworks, films, objects, and exhibitions. The module will be delivered in four half-term blocks, by staff from across the departments of Classics, History, and Philosophy.

Global context:

This module comprises sources and case studies from across the globe, and its four themes are relevant to the historical and philosophical study of any region or system of thought.

This module is especially suitable for students who have been studying outside the UK and need to become familiar with the methods of teaching and learning in UK HE institutions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will take students through a week-by-week programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and guided independent study tasks, over two terms.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	30	30
Tutorials	2	2	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	24	24
Advance preparation for classes	76	76
Other	48	48
Essay preparation			24
Reflection		8	4
Total hours by term	180	188	32
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There will be five summative tasks to complete:

1. Article Précis: a 500-word précis of an academic article from a list provided. Due Week 6 Autumn Term.


2. Source Commentary: an 800-word commentary / critique of a textual extract from a primary source. List provided. Due Week 11 Autumn Term.


3. Non-Textual Source Summary: a 500-word summary of non-textual source material, e,g, a podcast or a material object, working from a list provided. Due Week 6 Spring Term.


4. Self-reflection: a 500-word self-reflection on the theme of how your own perspectives have been influenced by studying HS0PE. Due Week 11 Spring Term.


5. Essay: a 1,500 word essay on a topic of your own choosing, taken from a question list provided. Due Week 2 Summer Term.

Percentage

1. Article Précis 10%


2. Source Commentary 20%


3. Non-Textual Source Summary 10%


4. Self-Reflection 20%


5. Essay 40%

Formative assessment methods:

A range of formative assessment will be deployed, as appropriate, by class students. These will include a ‘meet the researchers’ exercise in autumn term, and the submission of an essay plan in spring term.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of coursework.

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: 30 March 2023