HI2C5-15 Research Project for Visiting Students
Introductory description
In this 15 CATS one term module, visiting students will be able to complete an independent research project based on their own interests, under the supervision of an expert staff member in the department. This will enable visiting students to experience the Warwick research culture as part of their time at Warwick, and will enable them to undertake study in areas where modules are either full or unavailable to them, at an appropriate level.
Module aims
This module is only available to visiting students with the relevant pre-requisite knowledge and skills from their home institution. Students will normally be expected to be a History Major, usually of either 3rd or 4th year standing (where a student is from a 4 year degree programme). The previous completion of a module in a relevant subject area, and a module on historical writing or research methods, would be expected. Students’ suitability for taking this module will be determined by the Module Convenor in discussion with the student and the potential supervisor. Supervisors will not usually be expected to supervise more than one student per term.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Introduction to the Research Project
Research Skills
Written Sources
Visual Sources
Other Sources
Quantitative Sources
History in the Digital Age
Modern Records Centre
Public History
Academic Writing
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of sources for the study of an aspect of history.
- Communicate ideas and findings, adapting to a range of situations, audiences and degrees of complexity.
- Generate ideas through the analysis of a broad range of primary source material.
- Analyse and evaluate the contributions made by existing scholarship.
- Act with limited supervision and direction within defined guidelines, accepting responsibility for achieving deadlines.
Indicative reading list
As the module is driven by the topic of the research project and detailed syllabus is not appropriate. But these general texts support the writing and research process:
Mary Abbott (ed.), History Skills: A Student Handbook (2009)
Tracy Loughran (ed.), A Practical Guide to Studying History (2017)
Ludmilla Jordanova, History in Practice (2019)
Peter Claus and John Marriott, History: An Introduction to Theory, Method and Practice (2017)
Jeremy Black and Donald McRaild, Studying History
Martin Davies and Nathan Hughes, Doing a Successful Research Project (2014)
Simon Gunn and Lucy Faire, Research Methods for History (2012)
W. H. McDowell, Historical Research: A Guide (2002)
William Kelleher Storey, Writing History: A Guide for Students (2021)
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Research element
Research project
Subject specific skills
See learning outcomes.
Transferable skills
See learning outcomes.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | (0%) |
| Tutorials | 7 sessions of 30 minutes (2%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Other activity | 1 hour (1%) |
| Private study | 135 hours 30 minutes (90%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
The Research Project module involves researching and writing an extended essay centred around a single or small number of directly related primary sources. The source/s should be focused, e.g. a particular book, painting, film, song, collection of letters, or museum object. You should not try to select a broad range of different sources covering some theme. The goal is to use a primary source to unlock a historical puzzle or phenomenon that you find particularly intriguing. Close analysis of your chosen source should be informed by, and integrated with, your reading of appropriate secondary literature.
The essay should: situate the source/s in historical context; advance a clear and convincing argument about a historical moment/issue/theme, using appropriate evidence; and reflect on methodological and historiographical problems the source/s pose. Your essay should offer a novel interpretation of how to think about a particular period, place, episode, theme, or genre of source.
The private study and independent learning will comprise of research a topic and source, undertaking the reading and analysis, and writing the project.
Other activity description
1 x 1 hr preparatory workshop.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| 4500 word research project | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
|
An independently researched project |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
One to one tutorials.
Pre-requisites
This module is only available to visiting students with the relevant pre-requisite knowledge and skills from their home institution. Students will normally be expected to be a History Major, usually of either 3rd or 4th year standing (where a student is from a 4 year degree programme). The previous completion of a module in a relevant subject area, and a module on historical writing or research methods, would be expected. Students’ suitability for taking this module will be determined by the Module Convenor in discussion with the student and the potential supervisor. Supervisors will not usually be expected to supervise more than one student per term.
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.