2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2530 Web Research for Historians

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Dr Kevin Linch
Email: K.B.Linch@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides the opportunity for students to undertake an extended piece of project work, with the aim of producing a web-based resource hosted in the University's own Wikipedia. It is taught by a mixture of seminars, on-line materials, reflective writing, and workshops and individual supervision. The module culminates in a presentation of the resource to the class.Initially, the module guides students through web resources on-line followed by class discussions on the subject, both to provide examples of what they can produce and also to analyse suitable resources,. At the same time, students will use various web-based tools to support their research and the management of their project work. The topic of the project work will be decided on an individual basis in consultation with the tutor. Equal weighting in the module mark is given to the process of researching and the actual resource itself, and the criteria for this resource will take into consideration how the material has been suitably adapted for the web, giving credit where the project has made use of the opportunities the web provides.The module is particularly suitable for students who enjoy self-directed learning, wish to engage in a historical debate largely of their own choice, and for those who wish to enhance their employability skills in relations to IT. Furthermore, it will also provide good preparation for final year dissertations.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- Employ suitable technology in writing an extended piece of coursework
- Evaluate and utilise primary source material hosted on the web
- Use suitable web tools to support the process of research
- Reflect upon the process of the creation of Historical knowledge
- Experience and understand the process of creating web resources

Learning outcomes
Each student will enhance their Historical knowledge of the subject they choose to write and publish on.

Skills outcomes
Enhance information literacy skills, with particular emphasis on evaluating web resources;
Continue to develop research, analysis, and information management skills;
Ability to use appropriate web technology;
Time management, through independent study and production of web resource;

Syllabus

The overall aim of the module is to publish a piece of independent study on a historical topic, theme or person in the
University's wikipedia.

The modules begins by evaluating and using web resources and tools, and then to the production of the project:

- Evaluating web-sources for Historians
- Making use of web-based bibliographic tools
- Practical session in using tools for creating web material
- Discussion and supervision of research topic based on web sources
- Presentation of coursework

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	1.50	3.00
Work-based mentoring	1	0.50	0.50
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Practical	1	1.50	1.50
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Independent online learning hours			15.00
Private study hours			171.50
Total Contact hours			13.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent on-line learning consists of:
working through pre-prepared material about on-line resources;
writing presentation before seminars
writing update reports at key stages
peer reviewing completed projects

Private Study consists of:
Preparation of bibliographic exercise (including evaluative component)
Research, preparation and presentation of research project

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Class contributions
VLE discussions / journal
Bibliographic exercise

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Reflective log	350 words. Resit for 10% item will be equivalent written exercises	10.00
Presentation	350 words. Resit for 10% item will be equivalent written exercises	10.00
Essay	3,000 words, due Friday of wk 39	50.00
Literature Review	1,000 words, due Friday of wk 31	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/05/2009

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