General description

This course is divided into two parts, historical theory and the history of historical writing, both of which will be taken separately.

Learning outcomes

To understand the characteristics of historical interpretation.

Contents

Historical theory focuses on epistemological and methodological dimensions of a historian's work. Students also discuss the importance of historical knowledge. It is discussed in the studies of the history of historical writing as well, where the emphasis is on the analysis of how and why historical knowledge changes.

This course can be completed by attending lectures and exercises, by taking a book exam or by essays. Essay topics must be discussed with the teacher in charge of the course.

Teaching language

Finnish

Evaluation

Numeric 1-5.

Study materials

Supplementary literature: a) Historical Theory 6 ECTS/4 cu Rüsen Jörn, Narration, Interpretation, Orientation (2005) and Kalela Jorma, Historiantutkimus ja historia (2000) b) History of Historical Writing 8 ECTS/5 cu Kelley Donald R., Fortunes of History (2003); Iggers Georg G., Historiography in the Twentieth Century (2005) and Tommila Päiviö, Suomen historiankirjoitus (1989). The literature part will be taken as a single entity (6 ECTS/4 cu). In addition, students write an essay about a historical writing classic by agreement (2 ECTS/1 cu). The list of possible classics can be found at the department website.

Belongs to following study modules