BA History and History and Philosophy of Science

Year 2

(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

1. Demonstrate, especially through work on option modules, a broad understanding of:
- chronological continuity and change (hbp #16);
- how people have existed, acted and thought in a range of societies and cultures (hbp #12.1 and 17);
- techniques for close work on sources, both primary and/or secondary (hbp #18).

2. Apply generic and subject specific intellectual qualities, such as those listed below, to a further range of historical periods and problems:
- Critical and empathetic reading and use of texts or other source materials (hbp 12.2).
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of past cultures (hbp 12.3).
- Appreciation of the problematic nature of historical interpretation and evidence (hbp 12.4).
- Critical evaluation of historical evidence (hbp 12.5).
- Intellectual independence (hbp 12.6).
- Marshalling and communicating of argument, both oral and written (hbp 12.7).

3. Appreciate, employ and critically evaluate some of the main approaches to history (hbp #20).

4. Use a range of techniques and approaches to analyse data and information.

5. Understand and reflect upon the nature of history and the limitations of historical evidence. (hbp #19)

6. Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms.

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the concepts of theory, observation, progress and revolutions in science as well as concepts of society and technological change;
- demonstrate a grasp of detailed information on a particular area of history of science/medicine;
- demonstrate the ability to undertake detailed close reading and critical analysis of historical primary sources;
- demonstrate the ability to construct historical explanations;
- provide an evaluative analysis of accounts of historical change.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

1. Qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, such as independence of mind, initiative, teamwork, locating and handling information, analytical ability, problem-solving, oral and written communication, intellectual integrity, empathy (hbp #14);
2. Skills necessary for exercising of personal responsibility, including self-discipline and self-direction (hbp #14);
3. Decision-making.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:

- Oral assessment (or small written exercise)
- Essay writing
- Participation in electronic discussion groups
- Examinations

To demonstrate:

- Ability to apply a broad range of aspects / competencies of the discipline to standard historical problems.
- Ability to produce work that draws on a wide variety of material.
- Ability to evaluate and criticise received historical opinion.

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:

1. demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects/competencies of the discipline/profession to complex, albeit standard, situations and simple, albeit novel or atypical, instances;

2. work that is often descriptive in nature but drawing on a wide variety of material;

3. demonstrating basic professional competencies relevant to the discipline;

4. the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion.