HIS8104 : Ideas and Influences in British History
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Scott Ashley
- Lecturer: Dr Martin Farr, Professor Rachel Hammersley
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The module builds on theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired in compulsory modules HIS8061, HIS8025 and HIS8098 and embraces a comparative approach towards the History of the British Isles at an advanced level. These aims are pursued through the analysis, discussion, and application of theoretical models to specific historical case studies.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will explore the study of the impact of ideas and influences throughout British history, such as political thought, and social and cultural values. Seminar subjects may include: liberalism, socialism, feminism, conservatism, consumerism, environmentalism, Marxism and communism, collectivism, absolutism, Keynesianism, social democracy, communitarianism, fascism, republicanism and religion.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 64 | 1:00 | 64:00 | Research essay (summative); essay plan (formative). |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | Recommended and further reading. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Seminars focusing on debate in secondary literature and related primary sources. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 50 | 1:00 | 50:00 | Preparation tasks and essential readings for seminars (5 hours per week). |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Drop-in session to assist with completion of the assessment. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | General consolidation activities. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Seminars encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral communication, problem-solving skills and adaptability. Seminars at MA level allow students to share perspectives on their reading and personal research interests, as well as to engage in an advanced-level critical discussion of the problems and issues surrounding the theme under review. Structured introductions to the explored topics will be provided on Canvas. The drop-in session helps students with their assessment by providing them with an opportunity to discuss their research essay with the relevant lecturer.
In the event that on-campus sessions need to be reduced, there is the capacity to hold live seminar discussions online and retain timetabled slots.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | A | 100 | 3,750-word research essay (including footnotes but excluding bibliography) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 250-word essay plan. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative essay plan supports students' preparation of the summative research essay through the provision of feedback on their ideas and intended argument. The research essay evaluates the acquisition of a clear general knowledge of a specific idea and/or influence in British History, as well as the ability to locate and synthesise relevant information and express complex ideas in written form using appropriate scholarly sources. The essay assesses students’ capacity to interpret associated primary sources, and their ability to use such evidence to construct a compelling argument. Work submitted during the delivery of the module forms a means of determining student progress. All submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes and develops key skills in research, reading, and writing at an advanced level.
This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.
All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:
Modules assessed by Coursework and Exam:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be one essay in addition to the other coursework assessment (the length of the essay should be adjusted in order to comply with the assessment tariff); to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Exam only:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be two 2,000 word written exercises; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Coursework only:
All semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HIS8104's Timetable