The module offers a mix of contextual and thematic lectures and seminars building, first giving context, then allowing for exploration, theorisation and debate. Students will be introduced to a range of online primary and secondary sources and will be expected to demonstrate a range of skills in their final essay. Student will make presentations regarding their proposed final essays and some class time will also be devoted to essay planning, writing and referencing.

Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled learning and teaching activities
84% guided independent learning

This module uses the example of the First World War to illustrate the advanced historical skills required in undergraduate historical research. Students will be introduced to a wide range of relevant resources in order to further the development of the skills they will need in their final year. Included among these will be introductions to primary source repositories, research journals, introductions to important and relevant historical debates and studies regarding the application of theory to historical problems. Whilst all the examples will be situated within the context of the First World War, this context is wide and multifaceted enough to enable the module to emphasise the development of higher level skills in independent learning and research. The module aims to better prepare students for the demands of longer essays and dissertation research in Level 6.

Research Essay 3,000 words (Learning Outcomes 1-4) that includes both a range of primary source analysis and the application of theory and/or historiographical debate.

Key Information Set Data:
100% coursework

Bell J. [1999 3rd edn]: Doing your Research Project, Open University Press, Milton Keynes
Berry R. [1999 4th edn]: The Research Project: How To Write It, Routledge, London
Blaxter L. et. al [2001 2nd edn]: How to Research, Open Univ. Press, Buckingham
Levin P. [2005]: Excellent Dissertations, Open University Press, Maidenhead
Reynolds R. [2013]: The Long Shadow: The Great War and the Twentieth Century, London

Blackboard
Thompson Library
Online Subscriptions:
Jstor.org
Tandfonline.com
Bobnational.net