Teaching
The MSt takes place over two academic years, running typically from January of the first year to June of the second. The taught elements of the syllabus, Part I, are offered during the first year in two intensive study blocks/modules, each of which is examined by an assessment to be submitted usually within 4 weeks from the end of the residential block in which the module content is taught. Sessions will be offered in research training, and essay and dissertation writing.
Part I - All students will be required to complete the following:
Approaches to History (completed via edX)
Students 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.
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.
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 |
Two modules in Year 1 (normally of three days each) and three day-schools in Year 2. This equates to c.50 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 |
Entirely Taught
|
Feedback
Students are given formal feedback on their assignments and informal feedback throughout their course, including during supervisions. Supervisions also result in termly reports.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Dissertation of 16,000–20,000 words (including tables and appendices, but excluding footnotes and bibliography). At the discretion of the Examiners, the examination shall include an oral examination in the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.
Other
Assessment will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.