HIS4230 – Introduction to International History: readings and perspectives
Course content
This course will introduce graduate students to diverse perspectives and recent approaches to international history, defined to include diplomatic history, transnational history, critical imperial history and other bodies of work focused on the contemporary world. Students will respond in writing to assigned readings, building their skills at discerning and assessing historical interpretations, and will meet to discuss the readings. This is a readings seminar rather than a research seminar. It will emphasize published scholarship and it will give students a sense of the "state of the field" in key areas of research.
Learning outcome
After taking this course, a student will have acquired knowledge about:
- how relevant questions are framed and expressed based on the status of research in the field of international history;
- central research debates in the field of international history;
- how historians conduct debate over research and interpretive issues in the field of international history; and
- archives, sources and other materials relevant for the study of international history.
Competencies:
After taking this course, a student will be able to:
- initiate and participate in discussions of texts and research in international history;
- read different types of academic texts in a critical and independent manner;
- comment on and discuss remarks from other students;
- work with others in small groups;
- present about one’s own and others’ work to an entire class;
- give feedback on others’ work.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
A good ability to read and understand English is required for this course
Teaching
The seminar will meet 10 times for two hours at each meeting, for a total of twenty classroom hours. It also will include an introductory session and a midway research and writing workshop, where students and staff will work on developing appropriate research questions, research plans and writing plans.
General topics for course units will include the following areas: the era of world war; the Cold War; human rights history; international aid history; and the contemporary Middle East. The list of readings is set at approx. 650 pages to allow for a discussion of all texts of the curriculum in class. The students will find literature in addition to this, in order to write their papers.
The learning outcome of this course depends on active student participation. To this end, students need to attend prepared and participate in class. Different types of activities will require participation throughout the semester. Specific information about mandatory activities will be announced at the first meeting and published on Canvas. It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 6 out of 10 seminars.
Resources and information will be provided via Canvas
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Graded work will consist of a portfolio, consisting of a) an individual essay, consisting of maximum 4500 words including footnotes, with a theme chosen by the student under supervision. The bibliography is not included in the word count, and b) two minor seminar presentations, to be further published in Canvas. Information of required readings and other preparations will be given in class.
Students may submit written materials in English or Norwegian, but should also be prepared to read English publications and to speak English in the seminars.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.