Description
This core course introduces students to a diverse range of debates, concepts, and approaches currently animating historical research especially, but not only, in central, eastern, and south-eastern Europe. It builds upon two assumptions: firstly, that the history and historiography of ‘our area’ form an intrinsic part of European, transnational and world histories; and, secondly, that the development of innovative and imaginative research questions often occurs at the interstices of both area and discipline. Consequently, this course does not seek to provide a comprehensive overview of historical methods and approaches, much less to establish the disciplinary boundaries of history as such. With its inevitably partial (and subjective) choice of topics, its purpose is instead to help students to develop their own critical understanding of historical research and writing alongside their practical ability to orient themselves within any specific sub-field. Its ultimate goal is thus to encourage students not just to read pragmatically – to cover a topic, to find information, to acquire a tool-box of methods, but to read for ‘inspiration’ – to think laterally and creatively about how to conceive and approach a research project.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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