Medieval History MA

Program Overview

The MA in Medieval History at the University of Sheffield delves into the ancient and medieval world (1000 BCE - 14th Century CE), providing students with comprehensive knowledge and research methodologies. The program emphasizes skills development through optional modules, culminating in a dissertation and presentation. Graduates enhance their transferable skills and prepare for careers in academia, public history, and a wide range of other fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA in Medieval History at the University of Sheffield is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program designed to deepen students' understanding of the ancient and medieval world from 1000 BCE to the 14th Century CE. The program aims to introduce students to fresh perspectives, methods, and approaches to key debates in the field, while also developing their specialist research skills under expert supervision in a friendly and supportive environment.

Outline:

The program is structured around a core module, optional modules, and a dissertation.

• Core Modules:
• Approaching the Middle Ages (30 credits):
This module provides students with a grounding in key themes and debates in current medieval research, focusing on historiographical developments and new methodological approaches to familiar problems. It covers topics such as the problems of studying pre-industrial societies, the interpretation of material culture, methods for studying the medieval economy, and the examination of power structures and political culture. Students are also introduced to technical and methodological problems associated with the effective use and interpretation of pre-modern sources, such as court records, tax records and accounts, chronicles and pamphlets, paintings, drawings, and artefacts.
• Dissertation in History (60 credits): This module involves an individual research project based on a collection of primary sources, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
The dissertation represents an original piece of independent research and should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the secondary literature. In certain cases, primary evidence may also consist of modern historiography. Through the dissertation, students demonstrate their practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret historical knowledge. They work under the supervision of an expert member of staff who provides guidance and regular tutorial support.
• Research Presentation for Historians (15 credits): This module equips students with the skills and experience needed to present and communicate a defined historical research project to an academic audience.
The subject of the presentation is the student's dissertation topic, so this module also contributes towards the successful completion of the dissertation. Students identify the specific research questions driving their dissertation and learn how to discuss the sources and approaches they are using to answer them. They develop their ability to present their research data and findings in an accessible form to an audience, and enhance their ability to use presentational aids such as slideshows, data projection, and visual aids. The module also aims to improve students' skill and confidence in speaking to an audience and responding to questions, giving them the opportunity to develop the presentational skills demanded by employers as well as by a career in academic research. Students also learn how to make reasoned and critical judgements of others' presentations. Presentations are assessed equally on content and communication, with audience review making up a third of the mark and the academic panel's review making up the other two thirds.
• Optional Modules: Students choose 75 credits of option modules, which can include up to 30 credits from a guided list of non-history modules.
The exact availability of staff to supervise MA dissertations varies from year to year.
• Example 15 Credit Option Modules:
• Before Facebook: Social Networks in History
• Church, Life, and Law in the Central Middle Ages
• Microhistory and the History of Everyday Life
• Migration in the Ancient World
• Presenting the Past: Making History Public
• Research Skills for Historians
• The Dawn of Modernity in the Late Middle Ages
• History Work Placement
• Example 30 Credit Option Modules:
• A History of Emotions, from the Medieval Age to the Modern
• Biopolitics: Medicine, Meaning and Power
• Feminist Methods in Historical Practice
• Food and Drink
• Race and Racism in Historical Perspective
• The Global Cold War
• Women and Power
• Guided Modules:
Students can select languages for all modules where relevant to their program of study. These modules are worth 10 credits and must be taken alongside the appropriate Enhanced Languages module (5 credits). Language modules are all classed as research skills modules. Students can also choose from a selection of Archaeology modules, including:
• Digital Cultural Heritage: Theory and Practice
• Digital Mapping for the Humanities
• Heritage, Place and Community
• Heritage, History and Identity
• Later Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain and Ireland

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a combination of written papers, classroom activities, oral presentations, and a dissertation.

Teaching:

Students are taught through seminars, workshops, and individual tutorials. Teaching and assessment methods may vary for non-history modules.

Careers:

An MA in history will further develop the range of transferable skills at a student's disposal. The program offers modules specifically designed to provide students with skills in public history, such as Presenting the Past and the work placement, which give students real hands-on experience. These kinds of skills are why graduates are successful in both further study and a wide range of careers, from lecturing and working in the museum and tourist industry to business management, marketing, law, and working in the media. The University offers tailored support for students planning to progress to PhD study following their MA degree.

Other:

The University of Sheffield has a unique relationship with the public. The MA in Medieval History reflects that in its structure, and that reflects on the desire for a better relationship between history and the public outside of heritage sites and museums.

Home (2024 annual fee) : £10,240 Overseas (2024 annual fee) : £23,110