Historical Masterclass
| Module title | Historical Masterclass |
|---|---|
| Module code | HASM025 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Chris Sandal-Wilson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module offers you a unique opportunity to delve deeply into a specialist area of cutting-edge historical research currently being conducted here at Exeter. You will choose one from a range of masterclass options based on the research expertise of staff teaching on the module, and aligned with the research strengths of the department as represented by the various History Research Centres and MA Pathways. Through small-group tutorials you will work together to engage with current debates and controversies in your tutor’s specialist area, and develop the conceptual understanding, source awareness, and methodological skills you will need in order to pursue your own project of research. As well as providing you with a deep appreciation for the complexities and nuances of a specific area of research, the module will provide hands-on training to help you to develop key skills which are required for the MA dissertation and further research, and are also transferable to other careers: planning and organisation of a project; research; detailed and critical analysis; and writing in a variety of formats. Through attendance at events organised by one or more Research Centres, you will also learn to communicate that research, its aims, methods, and discoveries: an essential part of your development as a postgraduate researcher.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of the module are fourfold:
- To develop a deep, critical understanding of a specialist topic of historical research
- To deepen your understanding of key debates within the field of a relevant Research Centre(s) or Pathway
- To provide training in formulating a research project and communicating research effectively
- To connect you to the active research culture of Exeter’s History Research Centres
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Display an advanced knowledge of your chosen masterclass option
- 2. Critically analyse arguments by reading and discussing key primary and secondary texts
- 3. Present sophisticated arguments concisely, explain difficult points; and identify key aspects of a debate
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources
- 5. Develop a cogent argument
- 6. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Undertake an individual research project in a structured, time-effective fashion
- 8. Locate and use literature effectively
- 9. Construct and evaluate ideas; formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction
- 10. Assess and criticise the views of others; write at the level required for ongoing and future research
Syllabus plan
For this module, you will select one masterclass option, which will be led by a member of academic staff with relevant research expertise. You will participate in a series of small-group tutorials across the term. The focus of these tutorials will be determined in part by the masterclass option tutor and in part by your own research interests. Early meetings will discuss the group’s interests and possible areas for research projects, as well as providing an introduction to some of the key sources, conceptual and critical issues, and areas of current debate in the tutor’s particular area of expertise. For subsequent meetings, you will prepare a series of set tasks which build up to writing the independent research project. While these may vary from year to year, these tasks are likely to include:
- Reading key primary sources or secondary works set by the tutor to discuss at the meeting
- Compiling a scholarly bibliography on a specialist topic
- Preparing an analysis of a primary or secondary source for presentation to the group
- Writing and presenting a research proposal for presentation to the group
- Presenting your work in progress and giving feedback on others’ work
Tutors will provide specialist advice and an introductory reading list.
You will also attend events organised by one of the Research Centres in History (or related disciplines), and/or any of the Research Centres’ postgraduate conferences. In the research workshops, there will be an opportunity to discuss the research seminars, which will help you develop your skills in formulating a research project and communicating its findings.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 10 | Group meetings between students and supervisor(s) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 6 | Attendance at Research Centre events or equivalents |
| Guided independent study | 134 | Reading and preparation for tutorials; research, writing, and revision for module assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation of work in progress | 20 minutes | 1-5, 7-10 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Project | 100 | 4000 words (or equivalent) | 1-10 | Oral and written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Project (4000 words or equivalent) | Research Project (4000 words or equivalent) | 1-10 | Referral / Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The reading will vary depending on the options chosen from the list offered in any given year.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 26/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 26/02/2025 |