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The seminar puts the principles of historical criticism through case study and the concrete analysis of sources of various natures and origins to work. It also allows us to explore concepts and methods, as well as the models and hypotheses the confrontation of documentary sources and theoretical analyses give rise to.
During group working meetings, each participant, based on a personal preliminary work, presents his analysis of an aspect of the chosen theme, paying particular attention to heuristic and critical aspects, then submitting it for group evaluation. The procedures and steps in treatment, as well as the synthesis and conclusions are developed in common.
By the deeper understanding of the historian's procedure it represents and the effort to communicate it involves, this seminar is direct preparation for the master memoir.
By the end of this seminar, the student should be able to respond in a comprehensive and relatively original manner to a question regarding the history of the Modern period, from the viewpoint of heuristics, criticism of sources and data interpretation.
He should be able to write a research report delimiting the original question and synthesize hypotheses advanced, difficulties encountered and results obtained.
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Evaluation based on active participation in the seminar and the capacity to present a personal work both orally and in writing.
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This seminar analyses a problem of general history, placed within a specific context. It offers students the occasion to approach various questions of heuristics, criticism and interpretation of sources of modern history in an in-depth manner. It involves a work of synthesis, representing a real exercise in communicating scientific knowledge and hence contributes directly to preparing the Master memoir.
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Teaching materials : Student notes.
Teaching : by the instructor and, in some cases, assistants assigned by the Department.
