Becoming an Historian is a compulsory Semester 1 Junior Honours class for Single Honours History, Joint Honours Honours History and Scottish History students. It introduces key elements of historical theory as used by academic historians. It provides a series of interactive lectures involving case studies of theory and historical problems.

As scheduled in MyCampus

■ 10x1hr lectures.

■ 6x1hr seminars

■ 4x1hr recorded material

■ Fridays 3-5.

■ Course to run over 10 weeks.

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The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2,500 words) - 60% 

■ Student journal; a self-reflective diary or journal consisting of four entries of c.500 words each including a summary (total 2,000 words). The entries should be based on 3 of the seminar topics/themes (student's choice) and will be submitted as one piece of work- 40% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Introduce students to core theories and their application in the History discipline, broadly defined.

■ Allow students to learn how theory is applied to specific topics of History learning and research;

■ Give students knowledge of the debates between historians over conflicting theories and of how historical research is designed and influenced by theoretical considerations;

■ Encourage students to grapple with the interaction between theory and method in historical research,

■ Develop student appreciation of the nature of integrity in historical scholarship.

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

■ Recognise main strands of historical theory as used in and influencing the History profession today;

■ Evaluate key features of historical theories, their strengths and weaknesses and their application in practice.

■ Identify the lines of debate between proponents of key theories;

■ Assess the utility and application of theory in the discipline of History;

■ Relate historical theory to specific research fields within the discipline;