BA History and Philosophy

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
- how people have existed, acted and thought in a range of societies and cultures
- techniques for close work on sources, both primary and/or secondary

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
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of past cultures
- Appreciation of the problematic nature of historical interpretation and evidence
- Critical evaluation of historical evidence
- Intellectual independence
- Marshalling and communicating of argument, both oral and written

3. Appreciate, employ and critically evaluate some of the main approaches to history
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
6. Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms
7. Demonstrate further development of their skills of philosophical argument assessment and apply those skills to a wider range of philosophical writings
8. Demonstrate understanding of a wider range of primary philosophical texts and interpretations of those texts
9. Demonstrate a more developed understanding of the nature of philosophical thought and methodology
10. Demonstrate independent thought, through the ability to see connections between different areas of philosophy, and more effectively articulate and defend their own philosophical view

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
> Qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment (communication both written and verbal, problem solving, teamwork, ability to assess arguments, theories and concepts, ability to construct and defend their own view, ability to research, ability to complete tasks to deadline, and use of IT);
> Skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility (learning to learn, self-management, awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses, strategies to improve their skills).

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:
1. Demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects / competencies of the discipline to standard historical problems;
2. Demonstrating the ability to produce work that draws on a wide variety of material;
3. Demonstrating the ability to evaluate and criticise received historical opinion;
4. Demonstrating a more developed ability to apply the skills of philosophical argument assessment in order to enhance their understanding of theories, arguments, and topics;
5. Demonstrating understanding of a greater range of concepts, theories, methodologies, arguments, and topics;
6. Demonstrating the ability to see connections between different areas of philosophy;
7. Demonstrating the ability to more effectively construct and defend their own view, and engage in independent research.