Course Catalogue

Themes and Debates in Economic and Social History ESH4090

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course is designed to allow students to engage in up-to-date research and debates in a key theme determined by the course convener relating to Economic and Social History in the modern period. The course will provide flexibility in the Honours curriculum, allow colleagues to respond quickly to student interest in new research and theme coverage, and extend the programme's commitment to research-informed teaching and developing student research, writing and communication skills at Honours.

Timetable

Weekly: one hour lecture and one hour seminar 

Requirements of Entry

Enrolment in an MA (SocSci) or MA (Arts) Honours Programme

Assessment

Assessment will be through coursework focusing on primary and secondary sources, which will include two or three elements set out by the course convenor from the following, as group work or individually, as suits the theme and debates of the course: essay, bibliographic review, source report, seminar papers, presentation or reflective writing about the course content. The assessment will be to a total equivalent to 4000 words, with 100 words = 1 minute of presentation time and with similar weightings.

Course Aims

This course aims to provide students with focused learning on a core theme in Economic and Social History in the modern period, engaging with key debates and critically analysing primary and secondary sources on that theme. The course aims to engage with up-to-date research in the selected field, and to develop students' research, analysis, written and oral communication skills through a varied teaching and learning style as appropriate to the theme.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

■ Critically engage with key literature and debates in a key theme in Economic and Social History in the modern period

■ Critically analyse primary sources related to the theme, and effectively communicate ways in which these sources deepen understanding

■ Effectively demonstrate learning and research skills in the core theme in written and/or oral assessment

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions