Course content

This course is a practical introduction to historical research to new master's students. The course deals with the research process; namely the available tools and the necessary knowledge and skills required to write history on an advanced specialist level. The course will serve as a guide in students' transfer from being consumers and recipients of historical knowledge to becoming producers of this knowledge. Reflections on the student’s new role will be a central feature in this course.
The course will provide an introduction to the tools historians make use of in their work with sources and research literature, in the methods available to facilitate the preparation and management of the sources, and in the writing of a master's thesis. We will also discuss other relevant topics, i.e. the relationship between student and supervisor, the requirements and expectations of the master's thesis as a genre, and research ethics.

A detailed term plan will be available at start of term. Contact course co-ordinator for more information.

Learning outcome

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:
The candidate should
-have acquired an insight in how to develop a project from a preliminary set of ideas through a more defined approach.
-knowledge of central methods in historical research
-have experience in giving an account of and discussing relevant literature in written form
-have a knowledge of different types of historical sources used by historians
-know how to make use of some of the important archival and bibliographic institutions as well as digital resources used by historians
-have a knowledge of how to carry out the process of writing a master’s thesis
-have a knowledge of the formal requirements of a master’s thesis
-have a clear understanding of ethical questions of relevance to their project

Skills:
The candidate should
-have the skills to write history on an advanced specialist level
-be able to competently assess relevant methods for their studies
-have the skills to reflect on and discuss different types of sources
-be able to competently inform herself of and discuss relevant literature
-be able to develop a project that fills the genre's requirements when it comes to scientific approach, structure and discussion of relevant literature
-have experience in verbal presentation of central themes in the field the candidate is writing her thesis in

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of lectures, seminars, where students participate actively, mandatory written exercises, one oral presentation and visits to relevant archival institutions with relevant practical exercises. When required, students will be divided into groups to meet the requirements of the specialized fields within the discipline.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

HIST1505/HIST2535
HIST2000/HIST2040

Required previous knowledge

Admission to one of the following Master's programmes: History, French, German, English, 5-years MA in History with Teacher Education, 5-years MA in Languages with Teacher Education

Course materials

See syllabus