Teaching
The MSt takes place over two academic years, running typically from October of the first year to June of the second. The taught elements of the syllabus, Part I, are offered during the first year in three intensive study blocks/modules.
Part I: During the first year, all students will be required to undertake three core modules:
Module 1: Approaches to History
You will be introduced to a range of approaches to history, including, for example, social and economic, political, local history, political thought, American history, world history.
Module 2: Sources, Methods and Research Skills
This module provides research training in using, for example: computing applications for historians, quantitative and qualitative approaches, literature, visual sources, and material culture; oral history.
Module 3: Theory, Concepts and Historiography
Theoretical, conceptual and historiographical approaches are developed through a number of thematic topics drawn from, for example: class and social status, race and gender, Whig history, post-modernism, and other topics as agreed by the Degree Committee of the Faculty of History.
Part II: Dissertation
A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, and peer-to-peer and student-to-tutor discussion between modules to build a virtual community of practice.
| One to one supervision |
Year 1: one supervision of up to one hour. Year 2: four supervisions of up to one hour each. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes |
Three modules in Year 1 (normally of three days, but with an additional day in the first residential) and three day-schools in Year 2. This equates to c.75 hours in Year 1 (including some reading/prep time) and c.18 hours in Year 2. |
| Literature Reviews |
Some assignments and the dissertation require literature reviews. |
| Posters and Presentations |
Presentation of progress of the dissertation research is required at the day schools in Year 2. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Equal Taught/Research
|
Feedback
There will be a variety of feedback methods, in line with pedagogical best practice, including written feedback from instructors on assessments, as well as opportunities for peer feedback.
Students are given formal feedback on summative assessments (those assessments which formally contribute to the final outcome of the MSt award) and informal feedback throughout the course, including during supervisions. Students will receive supervision on the dissertation from their supervisor, providing detailed feedback on sample drafts.
The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
A dissertation of between 16,000 and 20,000 words in length on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.
At the discretion of the Examiners, the examination shall include an oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.
Other
Assessment of taught modules will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.