Academic Year/course:
2021/22
528 - Master's in Research and Advanced Studies in History
67920 - Techniques for Reading and Understanding History. Vestiges of the Past
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2021/22
Subject:
67920 - Techniques for Reading and Understanding History. Vestiges of the Past
Faculty / School:
103 - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Degree:
528 - Master's in Research and Advanced Studies in History
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
1
Semester:
First semester
Subject Type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1.1. Aims of the course
The subject and its expected results respond to the following approaches and objectives:
Offer a series of basic tools with which to know and correctly interpret historical texts and documents of all kinds.
Provide the basis for a better understanding and explanation of certain historical phenomena from a transversal perspective.
Investigate the use of the different utilities, tools and techniques that contribute to a better explanation of the ideas and results obtained in the research process.
Organized in a thematic and diachronic way, the main objectives of the subject are two:
That the student reaches an interaction between the different methods and techniques that facilitate the reading, understanding and analysis of History.
And that the graduate historian and the researcher in history value and use the material remains as one more part of the historical sources.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the results of Learning the subject provides training and competence to contribute to a certain extent to its achievement: 4 - Quality education; 5 - Gender Equality; 10 - Reduction of inequalities; 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions; 17 - Alliances to achieve objectives.
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
The contents of this subject have a fundamental space in the training of the students of the master's degree, by providing complementary and specialized knowledge in the reading and understanding of the different historical sources, beyond the traditional divisions between historical stages. The subject reaffirms, therefore, the transversal and diachronic nature of the master's degree. To do this, it provides students with methodology and techniques that serve to develop activities related to research work more effectively. Likewise, it prepares the student to acquire a series of advanced knowledge of historical processes, especially in the ancient, medieval and modern periods. And it provides you with guidelines about the usefulness of History and Archaeological Historical Heritage in research. In this way, students obtain a series of knowledge that gives them independence and autonomy in the study and research of any historical stage.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
The recommendations of the Master in Research and Advanced Studies in History: have knowledge of the general diachronic structure of historical processes, have knowledge of the main events and movements of each of the periods of History and show an academic, scientific or professional for the contents of the master's degree in general and this subject in particular. In addition, it is recommended to master certain skills typical of the profession of historian, such as knowing how to handle quality specialized bibliography, knowing how to access documentary sources, knowing how to critically interpret all kinds of historical documents and having basic knowledge of the current historiographic and investigative scene.
2.1. Competences
By passing the subject, the student will be more competent to:
GC01 - Apply the knowledge acquired in solving problems in new or little-known environments within broader or multidisciplinary contexts related to historical studies.
GC04 - Develop learning skills that allow you to continue studying in the field of advanced historical studies in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GC06 - Critically defend the solution of scientific problems within the strict framework of professional ethics.
SC10 - Integrate proposals from other fields of knowledge into historical research.
SC14 - Present and debate orally and in writing the problems and topics analyzed using the terminology and techniques accepted by historians.
2.2. Learning goals
The student, to pass this subject, must demonstrate the following results to:
Demonstrate skills to adapt to new situations and solve problems within multi-disciplinary historical contexts through the application of methods and techniques and the use of written and material sources. (GC1)
Rigorously evaluate historiographic sources and documents and handle techniques and methods of advanced studies and research in History in a self-directed or autonomous way. (GC4)
Define and apply proper ethical criteria for the practice of historical research in different periods and with the management of the various vestiges of the past. (GC6)
Define original research topics around written sources and material vestiges that contribute to interdisciplinary knowledge and historiographic debate. (SC10)
Prepare and prepare to present and debate rigorous documents that integrate the complexity of the methods and techniques of analysis of written and material sources. (SC14)
2.3. Importance of learning goals
The learning outcomes of this subject are important because they enable us to carry out complete, rigorous, critical and precise analyzes of the documentary and material sources. On the other hand, they enable students to assess the different vestiges from various points of view (documentaries, iconographic, materials, etc.) autonomously, as well as to critically analyze the different interpretations. It is about the student being able to approach novel and interdisciplinary lines of work that favor the analysis, study and global understanding of historical documentation in its broadest expression; and can systematically prepare works with scientific rigor, coherence, creativity and originality, which can be defended in writing and / or orally.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
The student must demonstrate that he has achieved the expected learning results through the following evaluation activities:
FIRST CALL
a) Continuous evaluation system (if applicable)
Written tests and oral presentations: 50%. Oral presentation of a topic or work proposed in class Its clarity, coherence and originality in the approach and presentation will be valued, as well as the critical contributions derived from a complete bibliographic documentation.
Participation in class debates and discussions: 20%. Active participation in class, clarity, coherence and ability to express their critical views and comments are valued. It will be accredited by means of the written presentation of the corresponding summaries or reports on the debates and discussions.
Carrying out practical exercises: 30%. Consisting of practical tests according to the content of the program. The cataloging and analysis of archaeological materials and historical documentation will be taken into account.
b) Global assessment test (to be carried out on the date set in the academic calendar)
The global test will consist of two parts:
Preparation of an essay on a topic or work proposed in class and tutored by the teaching staff of the subject. Its clarity, coherence and originality in the approach and presentation as well as the critical contributions derived from a complete bibliographic documentation will be valued. The length of the essay will be 12-15 pages and will be presented on the date set in the academic calendar for this global assessment test. (70% of the final grade).
Development of a theoretical-practical exercise on the contents of the syllabus and those worked throughout the course in classes and seminars. (30% of the final grade).
Evaluation criteria: capacity for synthesis, conceptual precision and writing. Its written form must be correct.
SECOND CALL
Global assessment test (to be carried out on the date set in the academic calendar)
The global test will consist of two parts:
Preparation of an essay on a topic or work proposed in class and tutored by the teaching staff of the subject. Its clarity, coherence and originality in the approach and presentation as well as the critical contributions derived from a complete bibliographic documentation will be valued. The length of the essay will be 12-15 pages and will be presented on the date set in the academic calendar for this global assessment test. (70% of the final grade).
Development of a theoretical-practical exercise on the contents of the syllabus and those worked throughout the course in classes and seminars. (30% of the final grade).
Evaluation criteria: capacity for synthesis, conceptual precision and writing. Its written form must be correct.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
The learning process that has been designed for this subject is based on the following:
Theoretical classes: lectures, theoretical presentations, debates and various presentations.
Study and individual work: readings, critical reviews and preparation of presentations.
Practices: case studies, problem solving, work with primary and secondary sources, text comments, audiovisual comments and other working documents.
Tutorials: resolution of problems and doubts and monitoring of learning.
Assessment tests: Carrying out written tests and oral presentations.
4.2. Learning tasks
- Theoretical lectures.
- Practical lectures.
- Individual work.
- Personal study.
- Assessment activities.
4.3. Syllabus
The course will address the following topics:
Topic 1. Public service of the History. Professional deontology of the historian and archaeologist.
Topic 2. Choice of the topic of research. Search of bibliography and drawing up of state of matter. Writing of research work. Quotations. Presentation.
Topic 3. Search and selection of sources, storage of information: database in historical research. Prosopographical method.
Topic 4. The graphic representation of the historical events: graphics, tables, family trees, etc. Historical cartography.
Topic 5. Texts and antique objects: two parallel and complementary sources. Is Archaeology at the service of History?
Topic 6. The landscape as a historical source. Archaeological traces in the territory. The construction of the current landscape.
Topic 7. Objects in the religious and everyday life as a historical source: Evaluation and use as ideological tools.
Topic 8. Other historical sources. Impact of social crises on the objects, cultural and economic life, as well as daily activities.