Module Identifier WH12120  
Module Title TURNING POINTS IN WELSH HISTORY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Paul B O'Leary  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Eryn M White, Dr David Ceri Jones, Dr Owen G Roberts  
Mutually Exclusive HC12120 , HA12120 , HY12120  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Seminars / Tutorials   5 x 2 hour seminars plus individual essay tutorials  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment PRECIS EXERCISE: 1,000 WORDS  25%
Semester Assessment ONE SHORT PROJECT: 2,000 WORDS  50%
Semester Assessment ONE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL EXERCISE: 1,500 WORDS  25%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
undertake simple but essential bibliographical exercises

read secondary historical material with a degree of critical awareness

recognise the need to adopt best practice in undertaking research

engage with historical debate and offer observation on the relative merits of historical positions

represent their engagment with the secondary literature in oral (not assessed) and written (assessed) work

reflect critically upon their own historical perspective and anticipate the relevance of acquired skills for further study at degree level

Brief description

The seminar series will use key periods in Welsh history to draw attention to the ways historians discuss specific topics, as well as introducing skills and techniques essential for students of history. Accompanying lectures will complement this skills-based approach and establish, in a broad framework, issues central to the historical endeavour.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students new to the study of history at degree level with some of the more important yet basic `skills? which they will need during the course of their degree.   It is intended as a core module for students taking a degree scheme in the Department which includes an element of Welsh History.

Content

Seminars:

1) General introduction
2) The Glyndwr Rebellion: with discussion of note-taking skills
3) The Acts of Union: with guidelines on constructing a bibliography
4) The Methodist Revival: with guidelines on preparing seminar presentations
5) The Treachery of the Blue Books: with discussion on writing essays

Lectures:

1) What is history?
2)the practice of the historian
3)the use of sources
4)the nature of historical debate
5)the historian as author

Module Skills

Problem solving Identify problems and factors which might influence potential solutions; develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving; evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions.  
Research skills Understand a range of research methods and plan and carry out research; produce academically appropriate pieces of written work.  
Communication Read a wide range of both primary and secondary texts; improve listening skills during the lectures, and consequently develop skills in note taking; demonstrate and develop the ability to communicate ideas in two essays; skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Show awareness of own learning styles, personal preferences and needs; devise and apply realistic learning and self management strategies; devise a personal action plan to include short and long-term goals and to develop personal awareness of how to improve on these.  
Team work Understand the concept of group dynamics; contribute to the setting of group goals; contribute effectively to the planning of group activities; play an active part in group activities (e.g. short group presentations in seminars); exercise negotiation and persuasion skills; evaluate group activities and own contribution  
Information Technology Use a range of commonly used software packages; prepare and input data; manage storage systems; present information and data; use the internet appropriately and effectively  
Personal Development and Career planning Develop awareness of personal skills, beliefs and qualities in relation to course in progression; plan and prepare for future course / career.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Abbott , Mary (1996) History skills: a student's handbook London ; New York : Routledge 0415116309
Appleby, Joyce, Hunt, Lynn & Jacob, Margaret (1994) Telling the truth about history New York : Norton 0393036154
Barnes, Rob (1995) Successful Study for Degrees London : Routledge 0415127416
Carr, Edward Hallett (2001) What is history? Basingstoke : Palgrave 0333977017
Clanchy, John & Ballard, Brigid (1998) How to write essays: a practical guide for students South Melbourne, Vic. : Longman 0733903940
Elton, Sir Geoffrey Rudolph (2002) The practice of history Oxford ; Malden, MA : Blackwell 0631229809
Northedge, Andrew (1990) The good study guide Milton Keynes : Open University 0749200448
Reeves, Marjorie (1980) Why History? Harlow : Longman, 0582361206
Southgate, Beverley C (1996) History, what and why? [electronic resource] : ancient, modern, and postmodern perspectives London ; New York : Routledge 0203284178
Southgate, Beverley C (1996) History, what and why?: ancient, modern, and postmodern London ; New York : Routledge 0415138833
Stanford, Michael (1994) A companion to the study of history Oxford ; Cambridge, Mass : Blackwell 0631181598
Tosh, John (1991) The pursuit of history London ; New York : Longman 0582026342

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4