Nature and Practice of Church History 2 TRS5098

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

This Masters course provides training in the essential methodological, archival and practical skills necessary for undertaking postgraduate study in Church History and Historical Theology in fulfilment of the Research Skills core component of PGT study at GU. Furthermore, the course will provide a deep historiographical and theological analysis of the disciplines as they have developed from the Reformation to the twentieth century, demonstrating the necessity of considering both disciplines as interrelated.

Timetable

10x2hr sessions

Requires Videoconferencing facilities

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College level

Excluded Courses

SCS Research Training and TRS Research Training

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

■ A 2,500-word reflective essay, or equivalent formal written assessment, or oral presentation of 15-20 minutes (50%), set by the relevant Masters programme conveners, focusing on subject-specific research skills.

■ One end of term essay (50%) x 2,500 words.

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Introduce students to research techniques relevant to Masters level programmes in Church History and Theology;

■ Analyse and evaluate the diversity of methodologies employed in the core disciplines;

■ Facilitate the acquisition of relevant employability-related skills;

■ Provide a forum for the critical discussion of key issues related to the development of professional academic skills including archival research, managing research data and effectively employing methodological approaches to source material;

■ Enable students to develop independent research planning and management;

■ Enable students to evaluate their research skills and progression within their Masters course.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ evaluate the various historical approaches to interpreting the key Church Historians and their methodological approaches.

■ plan their research effectively;

■ analyse and synthesise diverse methodological approaches effectively to produce their own contribution to advanced research;

■ actively engage with fellow students in groups to analyse divergent perspectives and to communicate ideas clearly to others;

■ critically reflect on the development of their skills from the perspectives of research preparation, employability and personal development.

■ formulate arguments effectively in speech and in writing at an advanced level.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.