History, Theory and Historiography

This course will deepen the students' theoretical basis for the study of history at MA level. The curriculum will reflects three themes: 1) the history of historical writing - within varying contexts, 2) theories of historical research, and 3) reflections on writing and interpretation of history within different fields.

A candidate who has passed this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the description of the course (see above):

Knowledge

The candidate

• has an overview of the fundamental theoretical questions concerning the writing of history, and key debates about them
• has an overview of the important phases in historical research and how they have been influenced by different perspectives, theoretical foundations and procedures
• has an overview of, and some familiarity with how the discipline has been constituted, delimited and divided into disciplines and directions

Skills

The candidate

• is able to reason, argue and provide briefing on fundamental theoretical issues related to research, dissemination and use of historical knowledge
• can reflect upon important connections between historiography, culture and society
• is capable of discussing the relationship between history and other types of socio-cultural understanding
• has a training in doing this verbally and in seminar discussions (by having discussed and presented in a seminar presentation on a self-chosen question within the course topic)

Lectures, exercises and seminars. Compulsory contribution to group discussions and seminar presentation, and a two days written homeexam. The obligatory activity from a previous semester can be approved by the department.