Course Catalogue

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This course will undertake an historical investigation of the Scottish experience and impact of the Scots in a world context, predominantly in the 18th and 19th centuries, covering three main themes: Emigration, Slavery and Emancipation, and Exploration. Some of the key topics to be considered are the reasons behind migration and the experiences of emigration; Scotland's role in the slave trade and the abolition of slavery; Scottish travel, exploration and missionary expeditions; and the uses and applications of historical research.

3 hours per week

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Prior to enrolling for the course, students must normally have met the progression requirements for entry to Level 2. In some cases this prerequisite may be waived at the discretion of the course convener, in consultation with the student's Adviser of Studies where appropriate.

Recommended Entry Requirements

It is recommended, but not required, that students will have gained credit in History 1A Scotland's Millennium.

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Assessment

Coursework will consist of the following:

10% Assignment 1: choice of a) production of a teaching aid, e.g. historical timeline, map or mock exam paper, or b) 800-word primary source analysis.

10% Assignment 2: creation of a min. 2-page 'activity sheet' or site report based on information gathered during fieldtrip.

20% Group Task: Students will be given a worksheet and asked to collaborate with their peers on set tasks.

Project Work will be submitted in Week 12:

60% Portfolio Project: students will be asked to prepare a substantial portfolio consisting of a 1,500-2000 word Essay demonstrating knowledge of a selected topic; either a mock lesson plan or a book report; either an information booklet or a poster designed by the student; and will have the option to include other relevant associated materials. In addition, students will be asked to produce a one-page project plan ahead of submission for formative feedback.

Assignments will reflect the three major themes covered in the course: Emigration, Slavery and Emancipation, and Exploration. In order to avoid overlap across assignments, Assignment 1 must be focussed upon a different theme than the Portfolio Project.

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non-honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

The aims of this course are:

1. to familiarize students with methodological approaches, chronological periods and geographic areas relating to this aspect of Scottish history, namely emigration, slavery and emancipation, and exploration.

2.  to encourage an awareness of the existence and nature of different scholarly views and approaches to the selected historical topics.

3. to foster an interdisciplinary approach to historical studies and engage in critical and analytical discourse.

4. to provide an overview of complex historical debate and interpretation, and acquire skills in interpreting primary and secondary sources.

5.  to encourage and foster independent and self-directed learning.

6. to develop a commitment to education as a process of critical transformation for the individual, within schools and society at large.

7. to communicate historical findings and interpretations in a variety of ways.

8. to encourage and develop confidence, imagination, skills and self-discipline required to master a similarly demanding brief in the future, whether in historical research or in any sphere or employment where these skills are valuable.

On completion of the course it is intended the student will be able to demonstrate:

1. knowledge and understanding of the diversity of Scottish culture, both past and present, and at home and abroad.

2. an understanding and appreciation of some of the principal themes, issues, developments, and controversies relating to Scotland's place in the world. 

3. an interdisciplinary approach to the study of historical topics using critical and analytical skills in both written and oral work.

4. an ability to evaluate, process and assess a complex range of primary and secondary historical sources.

5.  organizational, research and effective communication skills.

6. an ability to write, verbally communicate and argue logically and persuasively about the topic.

7. an ability to communicate historical interpretations and materials in a variety of ways.

8. an ability to plan, implement and evaluate lessons in a teaching or other work related environment.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.