History

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Patricia Clarke

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 5

Overview

This course aims to enable students to analyse simple Latin sentences and stories, make effective use of Latin dictionaries and grammars, and apply their grammatical, lexical and analytical skills to translate simple Latin texts and stories.

Structure

One 1-hour and one 2-hour session per week for 12 weeks

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%) consisting of 2 language exercises (50% each)

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor D Dumville and/or Professor J Stevenson

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Year 5 or above.

Overview

Weeks 1-5: Theory and methods of palaeography
Weeks 6-10: Transcription of a series of script-specimens, with weekly homework exercises

Structure

8 two-hour classes per week.

Assessment

20% coursework (2 x transcription exercises); 80% 3000 word essay

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Tarrin Wills

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 5.

Overview

Old Norse is the direct ancestor of modern Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and Faroese. It was the lingua franca of Viking-Age Scandinavia, and had a lasting impact on the development of the English language. It was also the primary literary language of the Scandinavian Middle Ages, notably the Icelandic sagas and skaldic and eddic poems. It is, hence, the gateway to a fuller understanding of mediaeval Scandinavia, the “Latin” of the North. This course will provide the basic linguistic tools needed to read Old Norse texts, and some background about the history of the language and its links with other languages. No prior knowledge of Old Norse is assumed.

This course uses Old Norse literature, in particular the sagas and Eddas, to introduce aspects of early Scandinavian culture, including literature and pre-Christian religion.

Structure

10 x 2-hour language and translation classes; 8 x 1-hour seminars.

Assessment

In-class tests and translation exercises (40%); 4000-word essay (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed.

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in History agreed upon with his or her supervisor and approved by the Head of School. It may be offered in conjunction with the student sitting in on level 3 or 4 lectures relating to the subject material.

Structure

Dependent on the special subject chosen (normally 22 x 2h seminars); in addition 2 x half hour supervisory sessions.

Assessment

1 x 6000-word essay (80%) + in-class assessment (20%), e.g. presentation response paper.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Tom Nichols and Dr Andrew Gordon

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 5

Overview

This course will provide students with an introduction to, overview of, and engagement with, the key skills necessary to conduct historical research at a graduate level. In particular the course will focus on certain specific issues especially relevant for writing generally and dissertation preparation specifically: historiography; source-handling; analysis; construction of arguments; synthesis of ideas.

Structure

6 x 2-hour seminars

Assessment

Continuous assessment 100%.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof David Dumville

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 5

Overview

This course is intended for students with a knowledge of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary. The courses introduces the student to reading, understanding and translating simple medieval and classical Latin texts. The course will take the form of a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials in which we read and discuss Latin texts chosen to illustrate the use of grammar and the importance of grammatical analysis in the study of Latin. In addition to grammatical and syntactical analysis, students will be invited to contemplate the difference between medieval and classical Latin.

Structure

4 hours per week for 7.5 or 8 weeks.

Assessment

Exam (100%) - 1 three-hour written exam

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Tarrin Wills

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course develops students' Old Norse skills by reading more complex texts such as skaldic and eddic poetry, runes and unnormalised Old Norse texts. Poetry and runes give a fascinating insight into the Old Norse world before the introduction to Christianity and during the Conversion period which is not represented by unbiased prose works.

In addition, students will gain a basic insight into runology and toponymy, and will be presented with the latest positions in research in these fields.

Structure

10 x 2-hour language and translation classes; 8 x 1-hour seminars.

Assessment

In-class tests and translation exercises (40%); 4000-word essay (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor D. N. Dunville

Pre-requisites

Palaeography I

Notes

Overview

1) Practical work with prescription specimens with weekly homework exercises.
2) Practical work with manuscripts held by Aberdeen University Library, with a physical description to be written.
3) Study of script-history

Structure

2 one-hour classes per week

Assessment

one two-hour written exam (50%) continuous assessment (50%) consisting of weekly transcription exercises (25%) and physical description of an MS (25%)

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C. Barr

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in History agreed with the course coordinator.

Structure

Six 1-hour meetings.

Assessment

One 4000 word essay.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Tarrin Wills

Pre-requisites

HI50Z2.

Overview

This course develops students' Old Norse skills by reading more complex texts such as skaldic and eddic poetry, runes and unnormalised Old Norse texts. Poetry and runes give a fascinating insight into the Old Norse world before the introduction to Christianity and during the Conversion period which is not represented by unbiased prose works.

In addition, students will gain a basic insight into runology and toponymy, and will be presented with the latest positions in research in these fields.

Structure

10 x 2-hour language and translation classes; 8 x 1-hour seminars.

Assessment

In-class tests and translation exercises (40%); 4000-word essay (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Frederick Pedersen

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course will provide students with an introduction to, overview of, and engagement with, the key skills necessary to conduct research in archival and library collections at graduate level. In particular the course will focus on certain specific issues especially relevant to the University’s Special Collection, the Museum Collection and Aberdeen City Archives, where students will receive an introduction into the nature of the collection, the way to access materials relevant to their research, and the principle according to which these archives are structured.

Structure

Four x 2h tutorials, and a 2-hour session of presentations on archival material used during the course for a personal study project (10 contact hours).

Assessment

Continuous Assessment (100%): 1x source review (60%); 1x presentation of a personal research/study project based on material found in the archives (40%); Formative assessment includes source transcriptions and similar exercises.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A.J. Heywood

Pre-requisites

Programme Year 5 or above

Overview

This course will provide students will an introduction to, overview of, and engagement with, the key skills necessary to conduct historical research at a graduate level. In particular the course will focus on certain specific issues especially relevant for writing generally and dissertation preparation specifically: core expectations for a level 5 dissertation; formulation of the research question; assessments of the relevant literature and methodological issues; planning of the dissertation research and writing.

Structure

6 x 2-hour seminars, plus 4 individual 1-hour meetings with the respective dissertation supervisor

Assessment

Continuous Assessment (100 %):
1x dissertation review 600 words (15%)
1 x initial topic proposal 600 words (15%)
1 x literature and methodological review 1500 words (40%)
1 x final outline of proposed dissertation 1000 words (30%)

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed.

Pre-requisites

HI5594 Research Preparation in Historical Studies or equivalent.

Co-requisites

May not be taken in conjunction with HI59Z1 (Dissertation).

Overview

This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in History agreed upon with his or her supervisor and approved by the Head of School.

Structure

2 x 1-hour supervisory sessions.

Assessment

1 x 4000-word essay.

Credit Points

75

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed.

Pre-requisites

HI5594 Research Preparation in Historical Studies or equivalent.

Overview

The course consists of one-to-one supervision with a member of staff. Students will be expected to produce a dissertation of 18,000 words.

Structure

5 x 1-hour supervisory sessions.

Assessment

Continuous Assessment - 100%: dissertation (100%).