Module information for our postgraduate programme Social Research (Economic and Social History) MA|.

Core modules

 

Introduction to Social Research

This module provides a general introduction to studying research and methods, and to preparing for a dissertation. It emphasises key skills such as searching literature, finding existing datasets, referencing, taking notes, ability to read and present a table of numbers, presenting an argument, and criticising an argument. It continues with consideration of generic issues for research, such as the main principles of ethics for applied empirical research, negotiating access to research sites, the role of theory, the philosophical bases for understanding the social world, and synthesising existing research through focus on the findings rather than the conclusions.

 

 

Research Design

This introduces you to the concepts and varieties of social science research designs. A key aim is to explain that design is independent of, and so does not entail, methods of data collection and analysis. Our intention is to link the introductory module to the modules on data collection and analysis through consideration of research questions and warranting practices.

 

 

Data Collection

This introduces you to the principles and practice of data collection, with a focus on deepening your understanding of the rationale for choosing appropriate methods. It provides experience in developing a range of data collection methods, covering data gathering using different modes (e.g. self-completion or interviewing face to face). The module will focus on the different stages of data collection, indicating how various methods of obtaining data can be used to gather both textual and numerical data. The importance of team solutions to larger scale data collection will also be covered.

 

 

Data Analysis

This introduces you, as appropriate to their research questions and design, to a range of approaches for analysing and handling data. These will include a number of statistical approaches to handling and analysing survey/numeric data, and methodical approaches to analysing qualitative data. It will also normally include reflection some key 'explanatory' variables used in social science such as time, place, sex, class, ethnicity, language and their relevance and how to operationalise them in a range of analyses. The module also emphasises that the method of analysis is not determined by the method of collection.

 

 

Historical Methods

This introduces you to the major intellectual debates in the development of the subject: e.g., history ‘from below’; the Annales school, Marxist approaches; gender; the new cultural history, etc.  You will be introduced to some of the major schools of, or tendencies in, historical research; in turn the Annales School, the English historians response to Marxism, cultural history, the linguistic turn, gender, history of science and critical social theory (Geertz and Foucault). The focus is on the application of the ideas to historical practice then and now.

 

 

Optional modules

You choose one of the following modules:

Medieval Studies Research: Theories and Practices

This enables you to understand and discuss current theoretical positions adopted by medievalists from a variety of disciplines and also to understand and discuss how these theories and methodologies offer different approaches to reading and interpreting materials from the past. In the seminars you discuss selected theorised writing on medieval studies and ways of interpreting medieval primary sources.

 

 

Early Modern Research: Theories and Practices

This enables you to explore the frameworks for historical research, c. 1400-1650, focussing on interpretations and sources peculiar to the early modern period, in particular early modern printed texts. The inter-disciplinary nature of this makes it suitable as an introduction to the skills needed to read texts written in the particular religious climate of the period while it broad base ensures exposure to many aspect of early modern culture, for example material culture.

 

 

Nation State and Nationalism in Modern Europe

This focuses on how and why the nation-state has come to be viewed as the normal form of political organization in Europe. Consideration will be given to such themes as the formation of the nation-state; changing ideas of citizenship; the development of national economies, institutions and cultures; the impact of total war, the welfare state and European integration on the nation-state.

It covers literature concerning major issues with the making and to some extent the unmaking of nation-states in modern Europe. It’s divided into five parts: theories, nation-state formation in the19th century; national minority problems within nation-states after 1918; nation, European integration and ‘Westernization’ in post-145 western Europe; and nation, communism and post-communism in eastern Europe.

 

 

20th Century Britain

This focuses on the different approaches to 20th Century British History and includes such topics as states and nations, class and social structure, economy and finance, the market and society and gender. Broad introductory classes on each of these subjects are then followed by specific analyses of either a conceptual problem or an issue concerning a primary source. It introduces you to a variety of methodological approaches to the study of 20th century British history, the key historiographical debates concerning, problems and issues concerning sources.

Disclaimer

Modules and courses are constantly updated and under review. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that a module may not be offered in any particular year, for instance because a member of staff is on study leave or too few students opt for it. The University of Birmingham reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.