Historical Sources in the Digital Age (P02736)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-HSDA

This course forms the first in a series of three courses designed to develop a student's study and historical research skills. This element involves the presentation of digital resources central the programme, based on the Edinburgh University Library's collection of e-reference and subscription materials. Intensive use of these forms a key resource throughout the programme, and the student will be expected to explore maps, plans, data, contemporary accounts, images, and historical documents available in major public digital collections provided by the National Library of Scotland, National Archives, Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments, National Portrait Gallery, other Scottish museums and collections, as well as a number of digital resources nationally and locally available. This first course in the programme will also explain procedures for delivery of the course, submission of work, assessment and other administrative details.

The course will be assessed through a 2000 word report and commentary on the connections and uses of a national digital resource and a local one, with reference to a specific historical issue, for example, on the historical development of public parks. The Report will also require students to demonstrate bibliographical skills.

A list of 30 websites has been compiled.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Additional Class Information : Delivered by e-based distance learning

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Summary of Intended Learning outcomes
(a) Knowledge and understanding:
- familiarisation with the major collections and electronic resources in the field
(b) Intellectual skills:
- ability to relate evidential material to intellectual arguments
- ability to evaluate and analyse a wide variety of sources
(c) Practical skills
- compilation of a academic bibliography on a specific theme, with a critical assessment of selected items