University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of History (Historical Studies) > History (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1HIST009T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Amy Edwards
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the students interest in and knowledge and understanding of the manner in which history is constructed and understood. It aims to provide students with the opportunity to investigate the basic areas of study relevant to postgraduate research in the subject and to introduce them to the wider academic community and its professional demands. They will be introduced to the research techniques involved in the scholarly study of a wide range of historical materials, and to various critical and theoretical approaches influential in the discipline. They will have the opportunity to select from a range of more specialised units which will develop their detailed knowledge of certain aspects of historical study. Finally, they will be given advice and training for the researching and writing of a 15,000-word dissertation.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through seminars, tutorials and directed reading, with a strong emphasis on primary materials. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework and the dissertation. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The breadth and depth of the students knowledge base is tested through written coursework for each unit and through the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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These skills are developed through seminars and tutorials in all of the various units and by oral presentations and written assignments (consisting of essays and the dissertation). |
Methods of Assessment | |
The essays attached to the core and optional units will test the students understanding and deployment of skills that are highlighted in each, and the application of these to specific problems and debates. All the intellectual training identified here will be assessed through the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to make oral presentations. Problem-solving, analytical skills and written communication are developed through written assignments, assessed coursework and the dissertation. The dissertation also fosters skills of planning and project management. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Through the essays the skills of written communication, presentation, problem-solving, analysis and decision-making will be assessed. All of these, plus planning and project management, will be assessed through the dissertation. Oral skills and team work will not be assessed formally, but students will be consistently and strongly encouraged to develop these through the giving of seminar presentations, and through co-ordinated preparation for seminars. These reinforce and allow students to practice skills and techniques that translate directly into the written work. While there is no formal self-assessment, it is implicit in the process of planning, researching and checking the essays and dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
This level is equivalent to that of the first Teaching Block, in which the student develops basic research skills; considers a range of broad approaches to the study of history; and has an opportunity to work upon specific periods and themes in more detail by taking an optional unit. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
This level is equivalent to the work of the second Teaching Block, in which more attention is given to the specific themes and periods represented by the optional units. At the same time the student extends and applies the range of approaches introduced in the first Teaching Block and develops research skills in a greater number of areas, formulating a research project in the process. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation acts as the culmination of progress through the whole degree programme, in which appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills developed earlier are applied to a piece of research devised in consultation with, and supervised by, one or more staff advisors. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The programme plays up the particular research strengths of the Bristol University Department of Historical Studies in Medieval and Early Modern History, Contemporary History, and Empires, in which most of the departments research interests are concentrated.
Pg-hums@bristol.ac.uk
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Researching and Writing History | HISTM0055 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Approaches to History | HISTM2009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Dissertation | HISTM1000 | 60 | Optional | AYEAR |
In consultation with the programme director, students may choose from the following in place of HISTM2009 | ||||
Research Skills for Medievalists | AFACM1001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
40 Credits from Masters Thematic Option Units; | ||||
Environment and History | HISTM0078 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Rewriting Modern Britain | HISTM0079 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Themes in the History of Colonialism | HISTM0017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Explorations in Early Modern History | HISTM0081 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Medieval Latin | AFACM0013 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Personal Option Unit 1 | HUMSM0003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
40 Credits from Masters Specialist Option Units; | ||||
Genocide in the Twentieth Century and Beyond (Lecture Response Unit) | HISTM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Ideology, Poverty and Famines | HISTM2017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Making History Public | HISTM2016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Apocalypse in Culture and Society (1000-1500) | HISTM0032 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Research Skills for Medievalists | AFACM1001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Supervised Individual Study | AFACM0008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Histories of Extreme Environments | HISTM0082 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Race in America | HISTM0084 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
English Civil Wars, 1625-1662 | HISTM0088 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Post-Apartheid South Africa: Rainbow Nation and Insurgent Citizens | HISTM0083 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Oceans & Globalisation: 1700-1945 | HISTM0100 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MA History | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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