| Module Identifier | IPM0460 | ||
| Module Title | HISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE C20TH WORLD | ||
| Academic Year | 2001/2002 | ||
| Co-ordinator | Professor Ian Clark | ||
| Semester | Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters) | ||
| Course delivery | Seminar | 1 x two hour seminar per week over two semesters | |
| Assessment | Essay | 2 x 4,000 word essays 25% each | 50% |
| Exam | 3 Hours | 50% | |
- have been introduced to the way in which general issues of philosophy and method relate to the specific context of International History
- have appropriate training in the use of a broad range of historical source materials and the necessary skills to make critical use of them
- have an understanding of the more significant historiographical debates of the twentieth century;
- understand the reasons why historical interpretation fluctuates over time;
- be able to demonstrate a familiarity with different schools of historical thought.
ESRC Postgraduate Training Guidelines state that 'Students in the field of International History will require specialised training in the philosophy of history, the main historiographical trends of the twentieth century, and case study analysis and archival research.' The main aim of this core module is to provide this specialised training. It links to the subject specific training provided in IPM2120 by exploring the issues of philosophy and method within the context of International HIstory. Thereafter, it examines the relationship between the historian and the writing of history by concentrating upon some of the most ocntentious historiographical debates of the twentieth century. While each of the seminars is self-standing, common themes will emerge in each: the impact of total war upon the course of the twentieth century history; the role of historical sources and the meaning of historical 'facts'; the relationship between the international and national; the role of structure and the impact of the individual in hisotry; and finally, the relevance of looking at history from above and below.
The course aims to provide specialised training in the critical use of various kinds of historical source materials. These will be broadly conceived and will include: archival sources; memoir literature; oral history and transcripts; film, literature and other media; and quantitative social and economic data.