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MA Medieval History

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

The aims of the programme are:
(1) to develop knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of the history of Christendom and the Mediterranean region during the Middle Ages, defined as the period from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Renaissance; (2) to develop an understanding of the concepts and techniques integral to the advanced study of medieval history;
(3) to acquire and develop research skills in medieval history by extensive use of primary source materials, especially in the preparation of a dissertation, and to develop and acquire the necessary skills in Latin and palaeography fully to exploit such primary sources.

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able, through the study of specialised topic modules, methodological training, and execution of a primary research-based dissertation:
- to demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to the study of Medieval History and/or to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of the discipline;
- to exhibit mastery in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities, including: critical, empathic and imaginative reading of sources; in the appreciation of the complexity and diversity of past cultures; in marshalling and communicating arguments in both written and oral form; in critical awareness of and ability to apply different approaches to the study of the past; in critical awareness of the primary, secondary and bibliographic sources for their own broad sub-disciplinary area of research; in intellectual independence;
- to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of sources, techniques, methodologies and historiographies applicable to their own research;
- to take a proactive and self-reflective role in their research;
- to proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these;
- to critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in historical research in the broad area studied.

Transferable (key) skills

Taught Masters students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;
- the knowledge and skills required to plan, execute and communicate advanced research in a professional manner, with particular ability to conduct independent research in their own broad area of historical specialism;
- advanced skills in the locating, processing, analysing and communicating large bodies of material, for a specific purpose, in an orderly, efficient and professional manner;
- evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms of history.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:
- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry in their historical sub-discipline including competence in Latin and palaeography;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.

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