2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDV5110M Research Methods and Bibliography

15 creditsClass Size: 14

Module manager: Dr Melanie Brunner
Email: m.brunner@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Interdisciplinary research is essential to Medieval Studies, as medieval culture does not divide itself into modern disciplinary categories. The module therefore introduces you to approaches to, and tools for the study of, the Middle Ages that will allow you to pursue your own research interests across a wide range of topics and disciplines.

Objectives

This module is intended to help you make the transition from undergraduate work, by introducing you to a wider range of research methodologies which transcend a single discipline, and to allow you to gain greater confidence in managing more independent research at postgraduate level, as well as to present academic work in fully professional form.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes specific to the discipline:
1. Systematically use and appraise a wide range of bibliographies, reference works and other aids to research in Medieval Studies
2. Analyse critically approaches to primary materials of different kinds, in both printed and manuscript form, as well as aspects of material culture relevant to the study of the Middle Ages
3. Evaluate accurately a range of research methodologies and approaches to the study of the medieval past

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Independently locate and evaluate scholarly works on the Middle Ages
5. present work in appropriate scholarly form

Syllabus

This module offers students training in core skills and use of resources applicable to a wide range of subjects in Medieval Studies. Individual classes will address specific problems encountered by students at this level and practical guidance in solving these, such as referencing, use of style-sheets, compilation of bibliographies and the presentation of dissertations. Classes will also introduce students to specific research methodologies, theoretical approaches and resources in a number of different disicplines relevant to Medieval Studies, drawing on the medieval holdings of Special Collections.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- The two main technical elements of the module (bibliographies, referencing) are introduced through unassessed quizzes on Minerva which provide immediate feedback on alternative and more appropriate research strategies and referencing style; the results of the quizzes also inform the focus of the corresponding seminars inorder to practice and reinforce areas the students found most challenging.
- The critical bibliography is submitted in stages: the first submission will be non-assessed, and formative, and written feedback and one-to-one feedback sessions will allow students to rework the bibliography both conceptually and stylistically for submission of the assessed component.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Critical bibliography (1,000 words)	50.00
Essay	Essay (2,000 words)	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

A first version of the critical bibliography will be submitted by the students as a formative, non-assessed exercise (1,000 words); the revised version of the bibliography will be assessed (1,000 words). The essay draws on the work done submitted in the critical bibliography and the seminars to evaluate a specific source type, approach or resource.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/10/2024

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