Methods and Sources in Historical Analysis
Full course description
This course trains students in finding, analysing and using historical sources for their research. Tutorials will feature hands-on training with various types of sources -- ranging from archival to oral to visual resources - and methods of presenting them -- narrative, comparative, and statistical. The course is closely coordinated and integrated with the parallel course “Historicizing European union”. Students should apply the methods taught in this course in the workshop of “Historicizing European union”.
Course objectives
The objective of this module is to introduce and train participants in historical research and writing. The main rationale is to equip students to engage with the history of the European integration process.
In more detail, the three main objectives of the module are:
- Firstly, to provide students with insights into the background of analyzing the history of European integration to integrate substantive, theoretical, and methodological knowledge and issues arising within this context;
- Secondly, by using theoretical and practical insights gained in the skills class (and in combination to the parallel course Historicising European union, to enable students to critically assess an episode in European integration history and to conduct research on a concrete case, demonstrating the ability to identify the relevant sources and actors as well as methodological, theoretical, and historiographical frameworks, and to integrate substantive and methodological knowledge as a basis to develop evidence-based arguments.
- Finally, to teach students to transfer the knowledge they have learned in this module, in order to integrate and apply substantive knowledge, theories and methods from the multi- and interdisciplinary field of European Studies to new research puzzles so as to facilitate substantive, theoretical and methodological innovation.
After concluding this module, RMES participants: Are able to find historical source material and can critically assess it, and use it for their own writings; Can conduct their research informed by a broad range of theories and methods from history; Are able to use these skills to research for, and write a paper on the history of European integration and its relevance for today, also in close connection to the parallel course Historicising European Union.
Prerequisites
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Recommended reading
To be announced in course syllabus.