Prospectus

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Historical Methodology

Course
2009-2010

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 a (short) paper.

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 a paper related to topics discussed in this course. Details will be discussed during the first class.

Time Table

Semester I, see timetables.

Method of Instruction

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 (see the rules and regulations of the Department of History, art. 2).

Course objectives

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.

Required reading

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.

Examination

Participation in class discussions, oral presentation, written paper.

Information

With the tutor: dr. H.J. Paul

Blackboard/website

Students will post questions and comments related to the weekly readings on Blackboard.

Remarks

This course is part of the MA-Europaeum program (5 ECTS) and of the Research MA-program (10 ECTS).