MSMRM2-Researching the Middle Ages

Module Provider: Grad Cen for Medieval Studs
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Rebecca Rist
Email: r.a.c.rist@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide training in essential skills necessary for effective research in medieval studies and gives targeted preparation for specific research areas. Students must attend all sessions and select one area on which to write an assessed exercise. Seminars and exercise will provide preparation for the Options and Dissertation.

Aims:
This module aims to provide training in essential skills necessary for effective research in medieval studies and gives targeted preparation for specific research areas. Students must attend all sessions and select one area on which to write an assessed exercise. Seminars and exercise will provide preparation for the Options and Dissertation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be able to

• demonstrate skills of critical analysis of different kinds of source materials using appropriate methodologies


• engage in critical debate, analysing and appraising appropriately both primary and secondary materials


• research, organize and articulate coherent scholarly arguments


• demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the way medieval texts are edited and used.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to develop the student's skills of time management and oral communication. They will develop skills of presentation and advocacy in group discussion.

Outline content:
The module deals with the range and nature of source materials potentially available for the study of the middle ages and encourages students to think critically about their use. It covers a wide range of disciplines: history; literature; manuscript and incunabula studies; history of art and architecture. Students will be introduced to, and given opportunity to practice, key skills in both seminar discussion and written exercises. These will include: theoretical and methodological approaches tothe different disciplines; information location and retrieval; database work; editing and indexing; technical description of manuscripts and buildings; interpreting images. The list may be modified to include a highly specialized skill required by the specific project of any given student (e.g. numismatics).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminars will be led by experts in each field. Students will be expected to prepare for these and to select one field on which to produce a written assignment, the details of which will be specified depending upon the requirements of the subjects. There will also be visits to archive repositories, historical sites and other relevant locations, which will usually be offered in the spring and summer terms.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	10	5
Tutorials	1	2
Guided independent study:	80	102
Total hours by term		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Each student will submit one written assignment. This should be chosen to prepare for the Options and Dissertation; but it should preferably, not simply revisit the student's BA programme.

Formative assessment methods:
N/A

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission 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: 30 March 2023