HI100-0 Unlocking History: Research, Writing and Success
Introductory description
This non-credit bearing compulsory module introduces first year students based in the Department of History to a range of core skills relevant to their undergraduate degree. Throughout this module students will be instructed in research, writing and communication skills alongside indirect skills relevant to success such as safeguarding wellbeing and career planning.
Module aims
The module aims to ensure that students are fully prepared to achieve success throughout the course of the degree. It introduces the core principles of research, writing and assessment, ensuring understanding both of basic tenets and transitional expertise. This module will also support success indirectly by encouraging students to take a holistic view of their university experience and consider their skills beyond the classroom. By the end of the module students will be well-prepared to tackle the requirements of the remainder of the degree, and will have been given the tools to monitor and enhance their own learning process as the programme progresses.
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 and Seminar Participation: Note taking, reading practices, collaborative learning, mark scheme, academic integrity overview.
- Research Methods: Understanding sources, argument, structure, individual voice.
- Finding Resources: Engaging with the Library and digital research.
- Academic Integrity: Referencing, good and bad academic practice, plagiarism, uses of GenAI.
- Non-Traditional Assessments: Enhancing historical skills, communicating with non-traditional audiences; overcoming challenges.
- Safeguarding Wellbeing: Ensuring mental health; maintaining university/ life balance.
- Maximising Achievement: Strategies for progress and success
- Planning for Success: Academic skills for employability and careers
- Writing Bootcamp: Final assessments.
- Transition: Managing and maintaining your own success.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify credible sources for research and utilise library resources
- Structure academic writing, develop an individual voice, and write for alternative audiences.
- Enhance seminar contribution through effective reading, note-taking and confidence.
- Understand and demonstrate confidence in written and oral communication.
- Succeed in various forms of assessments beyond traditional exams and essays.
- Understand and maintain academic integrity in all work.
- Maintain strategies to safeguard mental and physical wellbeing at university
- Develop skills to manage the learner journey effectively, including setting goals and reflecting on progress.
- Successfully connect academic learning with future planning.
Subject specific skills
Learning Engagement: Effective methods for capturing, retaining and communicating key information during lectures and seminars.
Reading Skills: Strategies for critical reading and analysis of historical texts.
Collaborative Learning: Working effectively with peers in group discussions and projects.
Understanding Sources: Finding, evaluating and interpreting primary and secondary sources.
Constructing Arguments: Developing coherent and persuasive historical arguments.
Communication Skills: Confidence, organisation and audience.
Referencing: Proper citation of sources to maintain academic integrity.
Avoiding Plagiarism: Recognizing and avoiding plagiarism in academic work.
Non-traditional Assessments: Application of skills to alternative settings, overcoming challenges, enhancing historical understanding.
Career Planning: Developing skills for employability and future career success.
Transferable skills
Effective Communication: Clearly conveying ideas and information in both written and verbal forms.
Critical Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating information to make reasoned decisions.
Problem-Solving: Identifying issues and developing solutions.
Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently.
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Adaptability: Adjusting to new situations and challenges with flexibility.
Research Skills: Conducting thorough and systematic investigations.
Project Management: Planning, executing, and overseeing projects to completion.
Digital Literacy: Proficiency in using digital tools and technologies.
Self-Motivation: Taking initiative and working independently to achieve objectives.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 20 sessions of 1 hour (77%) |
| Assessment | 6 hours (23%) |
| Total | 26 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A
| Study time | Eligible for self-certification | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 300-word Reflective piece | 1 hour | No | |
|
Introductory reflective piece on skills developed beyond the classroom. |
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| Curriculum Vitae | 2 hours | No | |
| 750-word Reflective Piece | 3 hours | No | |
|
Reflection of skills developed in first year of university and planning for success. |
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Assessment group R
| Study time | Eligible for self-certification | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Yes (extension) | ||
|
A portfolio demonstrating understanding of the central themes of the module. This includes a 300-word reflection of extra-curricular skills, a completed CV and a 750-word reflection on the student's learner journey and plans to maintain success. |
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Feedback on assessment
Brief feedback will be provided through Tabula
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.