HIS8104 : Ideas and Influences in British History
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Rachel Hammersley
- Lecturer: Dr Aidan Collins, Dr Martin Farr
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module 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. |
| 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 | Small group teaching | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Seminars focusing on debate in secondary literature and related primary sources. |
| 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 | 1 | A | 100 | 3,750-word research essay (including footnotes but excluding bibliography) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | 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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HIS8104's Timetable