| Unit name | The Apocalypse in Culture and Society (1000-1500) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HISTM0032 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Holdenried |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Our MA specialist options allow students to focus on a particular field of history and to develop specialist knowledge through intensive primary source and/or case study analysis. These units develop your ability to identify suitable primary sources, independently analyse them, and develop sophisticated arguments rooted in core methodologies and historiographies.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Specialist options take you into much greater detail than your TB1 thematic options, placing a much higher premium on independent primary source analysis. The aim is to provide all MA students with the core competencies required for their dissertation by developing your ability to build historical arguments through and with primary sources, in respect of a particular period, place, or theme.
An Overview of Content:
This option investigates how the description of the End of the World in the Book of Revelation (or Apocalypse) has been used in different political, social and religious contexts via the study of a specific medium, that of illustrated Apocalypse manuscripts which combine the biblical text of Revelation with both written commentary and images. The surviving manuscript material is substantial and comprises a particularly rich body of English and French manuscripts produced in the period c. 1250-1400. This Unit considers how and why these illustrated Apocalypses circulated during the medieval period. In so doing, it approaches history as an essentially interdisciplinary enterprise, drawing on insights from history, theology, literature and art. This unit is conceived to contribute to the aim of the MA to allow students to select their optional units from a wide-ranging choice of specialist courses which reflect the research strengths and broad research interests of the department. This unit explores illustrated Apocalypse manuscripts to provide a case study of a well defined and coherent subject area (medieval apocalypticism) but also permits students to engage with issues and questions that have broad applications in the study of medieval history, in particular the relationship between clerical and lay religious practices, gender and literacy. Students will be encouraged to explore a range of primary materials, such Apocalypse manuscripts, theological writings and the interior decoration of churches.
How will you be different as a result of taking this unit?
This unit aims to inspire you to conduct your own research into the history of the apocalypse during the medieval period. It will develop your understanding not just the medieval history of the apocalypse, but also of the ways in which historians set about framing appropriate research questions and answering them.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
This unit will be taught through a combination of weekly seminars based on the unit content and asynchronous activity designed to help support your learning and assessment. The seminar will be based around discussion of core sources, historiographies, methodologies, and approaches. This will serve both to increase your familiarity with the core historical issues and to build your confidence in communicating your own ideas. The asynchronous activity will help provide structure to the process of turning your initial research ideas into a manageable plan for producing an extended research-based essay.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay 4000-word (ILOs 1-4) [100%].
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HISTM0032).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
