Not available in 2020/21
HY119
Thinking Like A Historian
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Taylor C. Sherman SAR M.10
Availability
This course is compulsory on the BA in History and BSc in International Relations and History. This course is available on the BSc in Politics and History. This course is not available as an outside option. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
This course is optional for General Course students whose home department is International History. This course is optional for first year BSc Government and History students. Students for whom the course is optional must commit to the course when they choose it.
Course content
This course offers hands-on tutorials in the skills required to get the most out of classes and write essays for History courses. Students are taken through each of the skills required: reading well and taking good notes; asking good questions of sources, classmates and teachers; turning notes into essays; developing persuasive arguments in essays and presentations; identifying and using historiography; writing well; revision and improvement. A training session on presentation skills is also included.
Teaching
7 hours and 30 minutes of workshops in the MT.
1.5 hour workshop each week in weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Michaelmas Term only.
Formative coursework
Formative work for this course involves step-by-step drafting of an essay for HY113 or HY116.
Indicative reading
Ludmila Jordanova, History in Practice (2nd edn., 2016).
Mary Abbott, History Skills (2nd edn, 2008).
Black and MacRaild, Studying History (3rd edn. 2007).
Assessment
There is no summative assessment for this course.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: International History
Total students 2019/20: 76
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: Non-credit bearing
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills
