The Stirling experience: intermediate assessment Dr. Colin nicolson

Syllabus Degree Programme Dissertation Preparation Modular Semester Four years Dissertation Preparation HIS9X6 Third year core module taken in spring semester Dissertation Modules HIS9X7 The dissertation taken over two semesters by single honours History students only HIS9X8 The dissertation taken over one semester by combined degree students in Education only

HIS9X6: Approaches and Methods in History Aim (a) Theory, methods and approaches used by historians (b) Encourage application in students’ work Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding of (a) Subject-Specific problems and issues concerning application of (a) Confidence to undertake (b) Etc. Delivery Lectures, Seminars, Workshops in 10 weeks

HIS9X6: Approaches and Methods in History Course Content Introduction The nature of history Postmodernism National identity Gender Class Writing a dissertation proposal Techniques for dissertations Writing a dissertation Library Provision Computer Lab Careers Workshop

HIS9X6: Approaches and Methods in History Assignments Historiographical Essay (3,000 words, 45 %: due 14 April) These are broad general questions, and require abstract discussion, but it is important to incorporate illustrative examples or case studies. They might be drawn from some of the history modules you have studied or are currently studying. This will help you to ‘anchor’ the general discussion in ‘real’ situations and historical processes. Dissertation Proposal (3,000 words, 45 %: due 7 May) Staff advertise lists of topics and areas Encourage autonomy Students discuss potential topics and provisional titles with the relevant supervisor preliminary reading and follow-up discussions on the feasibility and sources for the proposed project. Agree topic with the supervisor by 16 April Project Proposal

HIS9X6: ESSAYS How objective can history be? Does history differ methodologically from sociology? “Postmodernism subverts historical method.’” Discuss. What postmodernist claims about history are valid? “Religion is the most potent source of national identity.’” Discuss. “Nations did not exist before the late eighteenth century.” Discuss. Is gender history more perceptive than feminist history? Does the concept of separate spheres between men and women assist our understanding of the past? How skilfully have historians deployed the concept of class? How illuminating is the Marxist conception of class?

HIS9X6: Project Proposal Form Essay or Report Content Literature Review Research Questions Research Methodology Review of Resources Draft Plan Curriculum Flexibility Exploratory Preparatory

HIS9X6: Assessment Essay Criteria Parameters of the investigation Initial Review of Resources Historiographical map Hypothesis Feasibility Methodological awareness

HIS9X6 Grade Results

HIS9X7: Assessment Submission Final Dissertation 6 April Review Schedule Spring Semester Final review c.14-21 March Draft Chapters Jan.-Feb. Research Summer-January/February Draft Work assessed

HIS9X7: Intermediate Assessment Review Schedule Autumn Semester Two or Three pieces of work to be submitted (14 Nov.) Draft Plan: September PLUS (a) Literature Review OR (b) Draft Chapter Assessment of (a) or (b) only Substantial progress from HIS9X6 Weighted at 10% of final dissertation grade

Project Titles Dissertation Proposal 2009 Dissertations 2010 The Formative Years of Martin Luther King Jr. British and US Co-operation in the Development of the Atom Bomb Adventure, Nature and History in the American West: The History of the American Spirit of Adventure and the Call of the Wild. American History World War II - oral history Friendship Between John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren Education and Empowerment in the American Slave Narratives British military responses to the imperial crisis in American 1765 - 1775 Dissertations 2010 American Slavery: The lifecycle of female slaves from childhood to adolescence The role of the CIA in the Rural Pacification of South Vietnam Assess the impact of soviet propaganda on the changes in civil rights policies in the United States between 1945 and 1974. Robert S. McNamara’s Role in Foreign Policy Making in Vietnam and China Alexander Hamilton and the development of an American National identity from 1771 till the fall of Philadelphia in 1777 US Undersecretary George Ball and Vietnam, 1961 - 1967

Observations Gives project focus early on Raises awareness of research activity Establishes feasibility Excellent dissertations HIS9X6 is “hard module” Reduces high attainment in final grade? Recycling material Research completed after assessment