Primary Sources in History

Module Leader: Dr Philippa Woodcock

This module is key to working with – and enjoying -  primary sources of whatever type that a historian might encounter. Each week will involve the interrogation of primary materials and their nature, from maps to letters, government minutes to medieval myths. Where possible, we will focus on sources drawn directly from the contributing lecturers’ scholarship, exposing students to the latest research-led teaching. We will also delve into historically themed and historiographical debates about the use of primary sources. Students will be sent to the four-corners of the digital archival world and encouraged to get to know their local resources and collections.

Indicative Content

• Introduction to Archives and Primary Sources
• Government Records: case-study on Venetian records and archives
• Church Records: case-study on recording Huguenot dissent
• Personal Documents: Diaries and Memoirs: case-study on nefarious diarists, from Samuel Pepys to Chips Channon
• Personal Documents
• Estate Records:
• Maps: case-study on mapping the Highlands
• Genealogies
• Material Culture: case-study on dressing the Stuart Court
• Folklore:
• Oral History: case-study on the Kist’O Riches project

 Coursework 

• Primary Source Analysis (1500 words, 30%)
• Presentation (10%)
• Extended Primary Source Task (3000 words, 60%)