Monash University Arts Undergraduate Handbook, 1997

HSY3000

New approaches to history

Proposed to be offered next in 1998

Bain Attwood and Barbara Caine

8 points
* Two lectures per week for the first seven weeks and one 2-hour seminar per week throughout the semester
* Clayton

Objectives Students will be expected to attain an understanding of the problematic nature of historical knowledge, recent developments in historiography, reading strategies, and research planning and presentation requirements.

Synopsis In recent decades, there has been considerable debate about the nature of historical knowledge among historians and scholars in other disciplines in the humanities. This will be the focus of this subject. We will contemplate the significance of poststructuralist and postmodernist theories for the practice of history, consider the challenge which feminist, postcolonial and other such theory has presented to traditional `grand narratives'. The relevance of rhetorical and linguistic turns for the reading and writing of history will also be debated. On a more practical level, students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in reading historical sources and contemporary works as texts. Lastly, the subject will prepare students for researching and writing a thesis.

Assessment Textual analysis (1500 words): 30%
* Reflective essay (3000 words): 40%
* Thesis proposal (1500 words): 20%
* Class participation 10%

Prescribed texts

Appleby J and others Telling the truth about history Norton, 1994

Jenkins K Rethinking history Routledge, 1990

Recommended texts

Ankersmit F and Kellner H (eds) A new philosophy of history Reaktion, 1995

Berkhofer R Beyond the great story: History as text and discourse Belknap, 1995

Burke P (ed.) New perspectives on historical writing CUP, 1991

Novick P That noble dream: The `objectivity' question and the American historical profession CUP, 1988

White H The content of the form Johns Hopkins U P, 1987

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