Seminar on Contemporary History

lhist2280  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Seminar on Contemporary History
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
10 credits
22.5 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Debruyne Emmanuel; Van Ypersele Laurence (coordinator);
Language
French
Main themes
The seminar puts the principles of historical criticism through case study and the concrete analysis of sources of various natures and origins to work.
It also allows us to explore concepts and methods, as well as the models and hypotheses the confrontation of documentary sources and theoretical analyses give rise to.
During group working meetings, each participant, based on a personal preliminary work, presents his analysis of an aspect of the chosen theme, paying particular attention to heuristic and critical aspects, then submitting it for group evaluation. The procedures and steps in treatment, as well as the synthesis and conclusions are developed in common.
By the deeper understanding of the historian's procedure it represents and the effort to communicate it involves, this seminar is direct preparation for the master memoir.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 By the end of this seminar, students should be able to treat a question from history from the viewpoint of heuristics, criticism of sources and data interpretation.
He should be able to write a research report delimiting the original question and synthesize hypotheses advanced, difficulties encountered and results obtained.
 
Content
This seminar analyses a problem of general history, placed within a specific context. It offers students the occasion to approach various questions of heuristics, criticism and interpretation of sources of contemporary history in an in-depth manner. It involves a work of synthesis, representing a real exercise in communicating scientific knowledge and hence contributes directly to preparing the Master memoir.
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The seminar will combine sessions dedicated to methodology and oral presentations by the students, followed by the discussion of their work in progress.
In order to complete their synthesis work, the students will confront the whole historiographical operation, including the search and analysis of archival documentation.
Depending on the sanitary conditions, the course will be taught in the classroom (code green or yellow) or in remote mode (code orange or red).
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Evaluation based on active participation in the seminar and the capacity to present a personal work both orally and in writing.
Other information
 Teaching materials : Student notes.
Teaching : by the instructor and, in some cases, assistants assigned by the Department. Preferably, this seminar should be attributed to two instructors.
Faculty or entity
HIST


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [60] in History

Master [120] in History