Entry requirements

120 credits including 90 credits in a subject in the humanities or the social sciences. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to:

* Give an account of the theoretical development of the subject of history in the 19th and 20th century

* Explain and criticize the important theoretical schools in the field of history after the Second World War

* Explain different approaches to the concept of theory and distinguish it from other concepts that express abstract statements, thereby being able to relate concepts at different levels of abstraction to each other

* Describe and analyse selected theoretical problems in history[based on clear and motivated starting points

* Explain and critically evaluate different philosophical assumptions and their consequences for the study of people and society over time.

Content

The aim of the course is to deepen the students' knowledge of and skills in identifying central theories used in historical studies. Theories used in historical studies are the systematic principles that one uses when formulating questions and drawing conclusions. Students will gain greater familiarity with various theoretical starting points and how to use them in concrete analysis, which will strengthen their skills to argue consistently (and to evaluate starting points and results). Students practice moving between different levels of abstraction and improve their ability to link empirical results to the research of others.

Instruction

The course will consist of seminars.

Assessment

Assessment will be based upon written and oral assignments. Students that have missed a small number of mandatory assignments may complete them by the end of the term at the latest. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.