HSMOP1: Option One

Module code: HSMOP1

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Rohan Deb Roy, email: r.debroy@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: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module allows students to focus on a specific historical case study. These specialised choices available for study may vary from year to year. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Apply relevant general concepts and approaches as appropriate to the chosen topic 
2. Critically assess the nature of historical debate and discourse as appropriate to the chosen topic 
3. Document and assess the processes of causation, change and continuity as appropriate to the chosen topic 
4. Develop communication skills, oral as well as written, depending upon the choice of topic 

Module content

The choice of topics available for study will vary from year to year depending on staff availability. The list of options for the students to choose from is included in the MA in History handbook.  

Provided by approval of the MA Director, attendance at the seminar series can be replaced by independent study on a topic of choice. The student will be assigned a supervisor and will work independently on a 6,000 word essay (excluding endnotes/footnotes and bibliography). The topic of this essay for this module must not overlap with the dissertation.  

Students will be able to take an appropriate 20-credit Latin module offered by the Classics department in place of one of their Option modules, and students specialising in Medieval history will be encouraged to do so.  

Students may be able to select a 20-credit Masters Option module from elsewhere in the university which is relevant to their interests, including modules with a medieval focus. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Most of the topics are taught through weekly seminars, which may involve student preparation, discussions and the presentation of written pieces on a weekly basis. Depending upon the choice of topic, the seminars may centre upon the presentation and discussion of various kinds of historical source material, including written texts and paintings. Site visits and practicals will also be arranged as necessary. 

Study hours

At least 18 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 50% 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.

Students may be asked to deliver seminar presentations as appropriate. Students will also be strongly encouraged to discuss their essay plans with their seminar instructors.    

Reassessment

Additional costs