Research and Writing Training in History I

Research and Writing Training in History encompasses three consecutive modules (MITRA4020, 4030, 4040) that are taught over the course of three semesters in the form of seminars, excursions and exercises. It is designed to help students acquiring the skills necessary to conduct advanced bibliographical and archival research, design a research project and write a thesis. The Research and Writing Training accompanies and supports students at all stages of their work, from identifying a topic and fruitful primary sources to designing the empirical project, gaining an overview of the scholarly field and projecting the thesis. In the first semester, students are introduced to the basics of historical research. Starting from the question what distinguishes history from other disciplines and a reflection on the role of theory, method and sources in historical research, MITRA4020 shows students how to conduct bibliographical research and approach primary sources. This includes excursions to archives. In the second semester (MITRA4030), students design their master’s thesis projects and work on a project description with guidance from a teacher and feedback from their fellow students. in MITRA4030. The third module (MITRA4040) assists students continuing their reading of secondary sources during the Field Term and results in a bibliographic essay.