Historical Culture and Theory (HIS346)

This course examines the principles and assumptions underlying different forms of historical practice.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

HIS346

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

Through class discussion and critical reflection, students are introduced to the key debates that have shaped the development of history both as an academic discipline and public form of knowledge. Students reflect on the current state of historical practice by gaining knowledge of the changing intellectual contexts that have shaped how historians work.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Students will be able to

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of the state of the history discipline as well as the new movements and debates shaping historical practice
  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of contemporary historical culture and the public arenas where history is produced
  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of the ways in which methodological decisions influence the construction of historical knowledge

Skills

Students will be able to

  • recognise, critically evaluate and apply concepts and methods employed in different forms of historical practice
  • construct arguments concerning the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to doing history
  • independently conduct a research project under academic supervision and in adherence to the relevant ethical guidelines

General competence

Students will be able to

  • demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of historical cultures and the ethical implications of historical inquiry within a global context
  • account for the factors that create agreement and disagreement among historians as a community of scholars
  • demonstrate an ability to apply skills and knowledge to conduct advanced research projects in other fields of interest
  • demonstrate an ability to discuss and evaluate research questions, analyses and conclusions within the scholarly field with specialists and non-specialists

Required prerequisite knowledge

The general admission requirements for the Master’s program.

Exam

Reflective journal and book analysis

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Reflective journal 2/5 Letter grades
Book analysis 3/5 Letter grades

Reflective journal: 1500 words +/-10%, not including references, footnotes, bibliography, table of contents, appendices, etc.Book analysis: 2000 words, +/-10%, not including references, footnotes, bibliography, table of contents, appendices, etc.Submission dates for the exams in Studentweb.

Coursework requirements

Attendance, Mandatory assignment

Attendance 70%

In case of absence beyond this, the student must complete an alternative digital assignment to be approved by the instructor. The digital assignment has the same learning outcome, but will require more work and time from the student.

1 mandatory assignment ("arbeidskrav")

If an assignment is assessed as not approved, the student will be given one further opportunity to submit a revised assignment

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Tyson Ashley Retz

Study Adviser:

Signe Ekenberg

Method of work

Lectures, student presentations and student-led discussion

Open for

Master in History and History Didactics and incoming exchange students.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto