Social and economic historians often apply models and theories from the social sciences to explain historical patterns and developments. This methodological course hands you the keys to the treasure trove, which contains the tools for doing professional research in social and economic history.

Key info

Coordinator – Dr Paul Puschmann and Professor Jan Kok (both Radboud University Nijmegen)
Lecturers – Experts in the field, recruited from the Dutch and Flemish universities, most of them fellows of the N.W. Posthumus Institute.

Period – February 2023-May 2023
Credits – 5 or 10 ESTC (see below)
Language – English
Location – Radboud University Nijmegen
Days and Times – TBA
Min. number of participants – 5

Description

Social and economic historians often apply models and theories from the social sciences to explain historical patterns and developments. This methodological course hands you the keys to the treasure trove, which contains the tools for doing professional research in social and economic history. A thorough knowledge of and insight into materials and methods will enable you to develop creative ideas and to realise your own research goals. We invite methodological experts in economic and social history, including oral history, spatial analysis, statistics, database management, as well as cultural approaches to social and economic history, such as discourse analysis. These invited lecturers from Dutch and Flemish universities will teach you the tricks of their trade.

Course objectives

• Gaining insight into a range of sources and methods in social and economic history
• Obtaining the skills to use sources and apply methods in a sound way
• Embedding your personal research interests in methodological traditions
• Training in the use of theories and various primary sources
• High-level training in presentation skills, both in written and oral form

ECTS

Students are awarded 5 to 10 ECTS, depending on the type of paper (basic or extended) they will deliver at the end of this course. Required for these ECTS are:

• attendance of all course sessions (including reading of the prescribed literature)
• for the 5 ECTS version: writing a final basic paper of 3,500-4,000 words that critically reflects on the method that could be applied best to their own research;
• for the 10 ECTS version: writing an extended paper (7,000-8,000) that not only critically reflects on their method but also is applied to a case study
• for both versions, a preliminary version of the paper has to be presented (10 minutes plus PowerPoint) in a session at the end of the course
• for both versions, a total passing grade of 5.5 or more will be required for the presentation as well as the paper to be awarded the ECTS; this grade will be determined by averaging the grades obtained separately for paper and presentation

How to apply

You can apply via the Application Form.

Application Form    

Questions and info

If you want more information on (one of) the courses, or if you have questions regarding the application procedure, please contact the Office Manager of the Posthumus Institute.