This course discusses major problems in historical methodology and philosophy of history through close readings of relevant texts. Topics that will be addressed include explanations, models, intentions, representations, narratives, paradigms, comparisons, objectivity and irony. Students will give an oral presentation and write one or more (short) papers.
Rooster
Semester I, see timetables
Onderwijsvorm
This course is an intensive research seminar. After brief introductions, each meeting will be devoted to a class discussion of assigned readings; attendance is compulsory.
Leerdoelen
This course aims (a) to enable students to reflect on some major methodological and theoretical problems in historical studies and (b) to prepare students to analyze and evaluate selected writings of major historical theorists.
Literatuur
Before the start of the course, students should have read: Mary Fulbrook, Historical Theory (London; New York: Routledge, 2002), ISBN 978-0-415-17987-4 (paperback).
All other reading materials (journal articles, book chapters) will be made available in photocopy form.
Toetsing
Participation in class discussions, oral presentation, written paper(s).
Informatie
With the tutor: H.J.Paul@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Blackboard/webpagina
Students will post questions and comments related to the weekly readings on Blackboard.
Overzicht
This is an intensive research seminar, which success depends on the active participation of all students. Students are not only supposed to attend all classes and read all required materials, but also to contribute to group discussion of assigned materials. Each student (alone or in groups of two, depending on the number of participants) gives an oral presentation that critically reviews the readings of a particular week. All students participate in the class discussion following the oral presentation. Besides, MA-EUR students, who receive 5 ECTS credits for successful completion of this seminar, write a 1,000 word review of Fulbrook’s Historical Theory. In order to receive 10 ECTS credits, MPhil students write one or more (brief) papers on methodological topics discussed in this course. Details will be discussed during the first class.
Opmerkingen
This course is part of the MA-Europaeum program (5 ECTS) and of the Research MA-program (10 ECTS).