Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for your degree describe the knowledge and understanding, the cognitive (intellectual) skills, the practical or professionally related skills, and the key skills that you will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate as you study for a BA (Hons) in History. You might like to extract statements from the following lists to support any applications you make for further study or employment.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this degree you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
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history as a systematic and reflective discipline producing bodies of knowledge about the past, these being constantly subject to controversy, debate, refinement and correction
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aspects of the history of Britain, Continental Europe and North America across the period from the later Middle Ages to the present
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the use and value of relevant concepts and theories, particularly with reference to comparative method, intellectual history, economic and social history, and political science
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the processes of historical research and of the evaluation and use of primary and secondary sources
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the nature of historical change
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the insights historians can derive from interdisciplinary work.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this degree you will be able to:
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read critically and think logically
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distinguish between objective knowledge, hypotheses and opinions
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apply such knowledge and understanding and other cognitive skills to the solution of problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature
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synthesise information and ideas obtained from a variety of sources, including written and visual sources
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to use secondary and primary sources appropriately in your work, appreciating the differences between them.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this degree you will be able to:
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seek out, collect and select relevant information in a systematic manner, using information literacy
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evaluate and analyse historical evidence of all kinds, secondary and primary
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present historical discussion appropriately and provide scholarly apparatus (according to conventions within the discipline) and proper acknowledgement of relevant work by other scholars.
Key skills
On completion of this degree you will be able to demonstrate the following key skills:
Communication
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discuss a complex subject in an appropriate manner in writing and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding in clear prose, using the language of the discipline
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read and synthesise substantial amounts of material (frequently not intended for student use).
Improving own learning and performance
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study and learn independently: including planning and executing a study programme
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seek and use feedback from the tutor, and through reflection and self-assessment activity, to improve performance in the academic context.
Information literacy
Application of number
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know where this skill is relevant and how to apply and interpret statistical information in a historical context.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
In the programme a range of different types of assessment is used, in accordance with the recommendations of the national history benchmarking statement. Most modules adopt the normal OU weighting of 50% continuous assessment and 50% examinable component. The tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) that make up the continuous assessment component may take the form of traditional history essays, extended essays, short-answer questions, statistical and computer exercises, drafts of independent work, and book reviews, depending on the module and the level. (For example, you are more likely to be asked to complete an extended TMA based on independent study at Level 3 than at Level 2.) The examinable component may take the form of a traditional three-hour unseen examination or a project or dissertation or other piece of independently researched work. At the history residential school your oral participation in group discussion and other work may be assessed.