The Historiography sequence of HIST 511-512 is required of all PhD students in History, and while it may also be taken by MA students, in all cases it should be taken after HIST 501-502 or some other, comparable survey of world or at least European history. This is necessary because ''Trends, Debates, Historians'' adopts an approach to the study of Historiography that is historical in more than one sense. It proposes to study methodology not in the abstract but in the concrete, as embodied in the output of a number of great historians living and working in the 20th century; naturally it strives to relate each such historian to his/her context and preferred paradigm; but it also situates each such contribution within the framework of the period problematic and literature to which it pertains. This means that works studied are taken up in the chronological order of their subject matter, i.e. of the historical period to which they refer (rather than by reference to their authors in chronological sequence). Furthermore, as a side objective of the course is to study problems of overall organization and sustained consistency in writing synthetic books (as opposed to research articles), in both semesters the emphasis is on reading complete books by leading- edge historians. Thus after opening with a few introductory texts of a general nature plus an initial set of readings on historians' own views of their profession, HIST 511 quickly moves into sampling works by historians of Antiquity, followed by close readings of some leading Medievalists. These and others are also scrutinized for the methodological insights they might shed into Ottoman historical studies. Controversies among Turkish as well as European scholars on the nature of serfdom, feudalism, or the feudal mode of production, as well as the more recent ''feudal revolution'' debate, are treated through special files interpolated where necessary. Throughout, two basic questions are repeatedly posed : From Herodotos and Thucydides, through the 19th century, down to the present, what has changed and what has not changed in the practice of historians ?
Trends, Debates, Historians I (HIST 511)
| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| History - Non Thesis | * | ||
| History - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| History - With Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis | * |
CONTENT
OBJECTIVE
The first of a two-semester sequence on Historiography, required for all PhD students, and optional for MA students after their first year. Designed to provide a solid grounding in historical thought and method, mostly through a study of methodology in the concrete, i.e. through close readings in the practice of leading historians.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Upon completion of this course, students will be able to * describe and criticize the main trends and debates in the history-writing on the ancient and medieval periods and gain a deeper understanding of historiography by preparing a research paper on a specific historian or historical period
- * identify the paradigmatic shifts and the methodological evolution of history-writing on the ancient and medieval periods and relate them to an overall conception of the subject matter
- * think and write on selected topics in historiography
- * develop the ability to criticize historiographic methodologies and interpretations
- * develop independent study capability, the ability to produce a coherent and well-argued research paper by a deadline
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 5
2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 5
3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 5
4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 5
5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 5
6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 5
7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 4
8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 3
9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 2
10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 5
11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 2
12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 5
13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 5
14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 3
15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 3
16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 4
1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 5
2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 5
3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 5
4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 5
5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 5
6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 5
1. Demonstrate command of comparative perspectives, which may include the ability to compare the histories of different societies, or cultures awareness of continuity and change over extended time spans. 5
2. Construct concepts and theories derived from the humanities and social sciences. 5
3. Analyze the evidence from the research to support a historical argument for an answer to a research question. 5
4. Apply a critical perspective to evaluating historical arguments, including the quality of the sources, the validity of the interpretations of those sources, and the soundness of the argument's use of evidence to support a historical interpretation. 5
5. Develop and sustain historical arguments in a variety of literary forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
1. Demonstrate command of comparative perspectives, which may include the ability to compare the histories of different societies, or cultures awareness of continuity and change over extended time spans. 5
2. Construct concepts and theories derived from the humanities and social sciences. 5
3. Analyze the evidence from the research to support a historical argument for an answer to a research question. 5
4. Apply a critical perspective to evaluating historical arguments, including the quality of the sources, the validity of the interpretations of those sources, and the soundness of the argument's use of evidence to support a historical interpretation. 5
5. Develop and sustain historical arguments in a variety of literary forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
| Percentage (%) | |
| Final | 30 |
| Term-Paper | 35 |
| Participation | 15 |
| Presentation | 20 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
| Readings |
see course outline below |