2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

HIST5853M Researching Race and Resistance

30 creditsClass Size: 12

Module manager: Dr Danielle Terrazas Williams
Email: D.Terrazaswilliams@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Module replaces

HIST5000M (for Race and Resistance programme only)

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This research skills module is a team-taught core module for students on the MA in Race and Resistance. It complements the Semester 1 theoretical module Approaches to Race. Running over two semesters and delivered through a series of team taught seminars and one-to-one meetings with the module leader, it provides training in research skills necessary for researching and writing extended projects on histories of race and resistance. These will include skills such as searching for primary sources, using archives, bibliographic skills, writing literature reviews; how to find a supervisor, writing and finishing extended research projects. Positionality and the role of the scholar in producing knowledge about race and resistance and interdisciplinary research skills will also be discussed during seminars. Students will be given an opportunity to present research project ideas with each other in a formative, unassessed presentation during one of the seminars and receive feedback from module tutors before submitting an assessed research project plan which includes a literature review and a chapter plan. In addition to regular seminars and individual meetings with tutors, students will participate in an archival workshop exploring important collections on histories of race and resistance and be encouraged to attend (online or in-person) and report on two research seminars, public talks, or exhibitions.

Objectives

This is a core module for students on the MA in Race and Resistance. It will provide the research skills necessary for researching interdisciplinary histories of race and resistance. Students on the module will learn how to search for primary sources, find and use archives, develop research proposals and other essential research skills required for independent research at postgraduate level. Students will be given the opportunity to research and reflect upon how knowledge production has and continues to be shaped by race and intersecting categories of identity.

Learning outcomes
1. develop the skills to research and find primary sources on histories of race and resistance.
2. Learn how to search for secondary literature across a range of disciplinary fields relevant to histories of race and resistance
3. Develop the skills required for analysing interdisciplinary scholarship on the histories of race and resistance
4. Learn how to write a research proposal for a postgraduate level research project
5. Learn how to structure a research project.
6. Develop written and oral presentation skills to communicate research.

Syllabus

Indicative module content includes:

- Finding Sources for histories of Race and Resistance
- The role of the supervisor
- Writing a research proposal
- Race and the Researcher
- Race, Archives and Knowledge Production
- Sharing and Presenting Research
- Writing up

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
seminars	2	2.00	4.00
Archival Sessions	1	2.50	2.50
Seminar	7	2.00	14.00
Tutorial	6	0.50	3.00
Private study hours			276.50
Total Contact hours			23.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Students will be expected to read and investigate the theme for each seminar as directed by the module leader. This might involve set 'case study' readings, broader research skills readings, or investigating online and archival materials. The exact nature of the preparation will vary depending on the workshop theme and workshops leader’s plans for that session.
In semester one and two students will meet with a module leader to discuss the development of their research project.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative unassessed work:
-students will each present their research project as an oral presentation as part of a seminar in Semester 1. They will receive oral feedback from the seminar leader ahead of submitting their formal research proposal in Exam Week 2 of Semester 1.
-students will each present a 5 minute oral response to a research seminar or public talk related to their field in which they place it in the context of the broader scholarship as part of a seminar. They will receive oral feedback from the seminar leader to help them prepare for their 2000 word essay on research skills and knowledge production.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 word essay due 12 noon Monday of semester 2, week 8	40.00
Research Proposal	4000 word research proposal, to include a literature review and outline chapter plan, due semester 1 exam week 2	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The research proposal deadline falls in Exam Week 2 of Semester 1 to ensure that students on the programme had received the necessary research skills training to allow them to research and write their MA Dissertations in Semester 2 and over the summer. The seminars and one-to-one tutorials in Semester 1 will be geared towards developing and writing the research proposal while classes in Semester 2 will be focused on skills required later on in the dissertation writing process such as how to stop researching and begin writing up. The timing also works well for students developing their research proposal writing skills for PhD applications in January and February.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/09/2021

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