| Unit name | Themes in Cultural and Intellectual History |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HISTM2014 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Holdenried |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
none |
| Co-requisites |
none |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit seeks to introduce students to key debates about the nature and distinctiveness of intellectual and cultural history and about the relationship between the two. It is framed around a series of case-studies which investigate important themes in both disciplines; while some of these may be focused in specific contexts and periods, students will be encouraged to relate them to their own interests. Ultimately, the unit is intended to assist students in thinking critically about the sources upon which cultural and intellectual historians draw, and the methodological and philosophical issues which they must address.
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will have gained a critical understanding of the character of both cultural and intellectual history, and of the relationship between them. Students will be equipped to assess underlying methodological and philosophical issues about cultural and intellectual history. Students will be familiar with key works, recent and not so recent, which have defined these sub-disciplines, and have an in depth understanding of the problems and issues that are central to cultural and intellectual historians. Students will be capable of assessing the particular approaches to sources taken by cultural and intellectual historians, and of relating such issues to their own emerging research.
10 seminars.
This unit is assessed by a 2,000 word critical review (worth 25% of the unit mark), and a 3,000 word essay (worth 75% of the unit mark).
