The Practice of History (XH9853C)

Postgraduate, 48.0 points

Content

This seminar-based unit is designed to enable students to develop advanced skills in historical research and writing. Focused study and discussion will facilitate theological reflection of historical texts and integration with other theological disciplines. The unit will include sessions on methods of historical research, writing history and narrative style, the use of oral sources, publishing, electronic sources and databases, and contemporary issues in historiography.

Unit code: XH9853C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 48.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Capstone

Unit discipline: Capstone Other H

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Undertake historical research by applying appropriate historical methodology and demonstrating a range of approaches to the study of historical texts
2.

Demonstrate skilled use of electronic databases, journals and other scholarly literature
3.

Engage in scholarly exchange with people undertaking historical research with the aim of formulating reasoned interpretations of key periods in Church history
4.

Critically evaluate the work of selected historians
5.

Research and document a detailed topic on Church History, using primary and secondary sources
6.

Reflect theologically upon historical texts and integrate their study with other theological disciplines

Unit sequence

CH1001C and CH1002C or equivalent

Pedagogy

Face-to-face intensive blocks.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bebbington, David W., Patterns in History: a Christian Perspective on Historical Thought. Vancouver, B.C: Regent College Publishing, 2000.
  • Bradley, James E. Church History: An Introduction to Research Methods and Resources. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.
  • Burke, Peter, ed. New Perspectives on Historical Writing. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2001.
  • Caine, Barbara. Biography and History. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
  • Carr, Edward H. What is History? Revised edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.
  • Curthoys, Ann & Ann McGrath. How to Write History that People Want to Read. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
  • Curthoys, Ann & John Docker. Is History Fiction? 2nd ed. Sydney: University of NSW Press, 2010.
  • Elton, Geoffrey. The Practice of History. Oxford: Blackwell, 2002.
  • Evans, Richard J. In Defence of History. London: Granta Books, 2000.
  • McIntyre, C.T. God, History and Historians. An Introduction to Modern Christian Views of History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.
  • Munslow, Alun, ed. The Routledge Companion to Historical Studies. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2006.
  • Salvatore, Nick, ed. Faith and the Historian: Catholic Perspectives. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2007.
  • Walker, Garthine, ed. Writing Early Modern History. London: Hodder Arnold Press, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

Variant 1 - 14,000-word essay or equivalent project

 14000 100.0

Variant 2

Essay

Variant 2: 7000 word paper

 7000 50.0
Essay

Variant 2: 7,000-word paper

 7000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 19 Jul, 2021

Unit record last updated: 2021-07-19 16:27:24 +1000