HS1PIH: Perspectives in History

Module code: HS1PIH

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Ruth Salter, email: r.j.salter@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module is designed to support students in their transition to studying History at University level. To achieve this, the module introduces students, thematically, to a geographically and chronologically broad study of history, and to the research undertaken in the Department of History; and thus introduces students to some of the potential pathways through history that they can follow within their degree.

Each thematic strand consists of a series of lectures in which historians actively engaged in research on the theme from varying perspectives will present and discuss their subject. Lectures on this module will not only discuss the specific historical context of the subjects presented, but will address research itself too (e.g., the historiography, methodology and theories that have shaped the historian’s perspective).

Students on this module will consider approaches and themes they are more familiar with, such as those of political and social history, alongside elements that they might not have had the chance to study before, such as science and medicine through history. [Note: these themes are provided as an exemplar of the thematic strands this module might cover in any given year.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Follow particular thematic strands through various eras of history, recognising continuity and change across a broad chronological and geographic range;
2. Feel confident in their overall grasp of current work in the discipline of History;
3. Recognise the distinguishing features of the historical and historiographical ideas presented to them;
4. Identify their own interests in History and develop these interests as they the progress into the rest of their degree programme (with History either as a Single Subject or as part of a Combined Degree).

Module content

NB: This description is correct at the time of writing but is subject to change due to staff changes and availability.

The module will give students a detailed and informed introduction to four historical themes, delivered at the appropriate level, arranged to fit with the mid-semester breaks as far as possible.  Within each theme, contrasting and complementary perspectives and methodologies will be demonstrated, in order to exemplify interactions between historical content and historiographical theories.

The module is taught across the two semesters and consists of one lecture a week throughout the teaching weeks (with five lectures provided in each thematic grouping). Each lecture will be given by a different historian within the Department of History. The lectures will be supported with online materials, including the lecture slides and additional (specified) reading, which will be available on the module’s Blackboard pages. Each theme consists of four individually presented, thematic lectures and concludes with a lecture that will run as a roundtable, bringing together those lecturers who presented on that theme and opening the floor for student questions and reflection.

The four thematic strands of the module will be confirmed ahead of semester one and the schedule will also be made available via the Blackboard pages for the module. The first lecture of the module will be an overall introduction, delivered by the module convenor. The concluding lecture will also be provided by the module convenor and will address the content covered and encourage the students to reflect on the module as a whole.

Two additional lectures (one each semester) will be provided by the convenor to provide students with guidance on the two pieces assessment for this module. For this module students will complete a group-based assessment in each semester. Semester one’s group work will involve the group creating a portfolio focused on a subject related to the first two themes. This portfolio will consist of a thematic timeline, a 1,000-word blog post on a specific topic, and an accompanying bibliography. Semester two’s group work will involve the group creating a poster and presentation relating to a subject covered in the latter two themes. The specific options for both group assessments will be provided to students at the start of the relevant semester. The groups will be supported through their work by a member of staff who will act as a supervisor.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught across both semesters and will provide context for the more in-depth studies undertaken in the Exploring Evidence and Option modules.  The central teaching mode will be in-person, of which there will be one per teaching week (22 in total).  Each theme will consist of five lectures: four lectures, and one lecture/roundtable. Lectures will allow for questions and discussion with students to encourage and enhance student engagement with that week’s subject matter, with the final theme lecture running as a roundtable discussion between the historians who presented on that theme and the student cohort.

This scheduled teaching time will be supported weekly by 2-3 hours of independent study (e.g., engaging with the required reading, reviewing lecture slides online, using Blackboard discussion boards) and a fortnightly meeting with the students’ group-work supervisor. 

Study hours

At least 38 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs