History Masterclass
17th October and repeated 20th November • University of London Union
Is history driven by ‘Great Men’, by ideas, or by the relentless unfolding of social structures? Does the study of the past help us to better understand the present, to learn from our mistakes, or even to derive scientific laws which we can use to predict the future? Or is it all, as Ford would have it, more or less bunk? The History Masterclass offers a chance to investigate these questions through participation in seminars, lectures, and debates on the value, purpose and methods of historical study. The course is ideal for students in Years 11-13 who are considering studying History at university.
Teaching will run from 10.30 – 4.30.
Masterclass Programme 2010:
The purpose of historical study
‘We need history,’ said Nietzsche, ‘but not the way the spoiled loafer in the garden of knowledge needs it.’ In this introductory seminar students will compare extracts from the work of four major historical thinkers (Commynes, Marx, Nietzsche and Collingwood), discuss how conceptions of history have changed over time and ask whether any of their approaches should motivate historians today.
Historical truth
Can historians ever hope to achieve—or approach–objectivity when writing about the past? Do they simply interpret facts, or in doing so create them? In this seminar we ask when and why historians might manipulate or even fabricate the evidence, and trace arguments over objectivity from von Ranke through the postmodernists to Richard Evans.
Structure, agency and leadership
Popular history may still stress the stories of towering individuals, the so-called “Great Men” approach. But the more attention we pay to factors that shape and constrain human activity–from the natural environment to economic trends to cultural prejudices—the less room there is for free individual action. Using case studies such as the Siege of Vienna and the Russian Revolution, students assess the value of individual-centred and structuralist approaches to history.
Approaches to social history: Marxism and the Annales school
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles” – the influence of Karl Marx’s concepts of dialectical materialism and class conflict have made him both one of the most influential historical thinkers of the last two hundred years and also the most caricatured and misunderstood. The Annales school revolutionised the study of social history by rejecting narrative, attempting to trace the experiences of all social groups, recapture past ‘mentalities’, and apply social scientific techniques to history. A comparison of the Annales and Marxist approaches forms the basis for a discussion of method in social history.
Case study debate: Holocaust denial
The furore over Holocaust denial is perhaps the foremost example of the politicisation of history in recent times. In the final session of the day students draw together ideas discussed in previous seminars to debate the criminalisation of Holocaust denial.
Tutors
Dr William Van Reyk has worked as a lecturer in History for a number of Oxford Colleges between 2006 and 2009 (St Hugh’s, Wadham, Christ Church, and most recently Keble). His main interests lie in the field of modern British history, especially the cultural and intellectual history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Adam Bott holds a BA in History and Literature from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. His areas of interest include modern intellectual history and the colonial period in South Asia.
Ben Jasper is completing the second year of his M.Phil in Politics at Wadham College, Oxford having graduated from there with a first class degree in Modern History. He has a wide range of interests ranging from the history of political thought to the role of the military in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Feedback from previous History Masterclass events:
“Superb. Engaging lecturers, a lot of ground covered quickly, but plenty of opportunity for discussion.”
“It was thought-provoking, involving and very helpful. To be able to see the principles behind history was a fantastic opportunity.”
“There was a lovely atmosphere and everyone was helpful and friendly.”
“Really enjoyed it. I especially liked the lectures as they were on topics I didn’t know much about.”
“It definitely challenged me to think more independently, and it was a very valuable experience.”
“Source work was particularly interesting.”
“The lectures gave me an idea of the style of teaching at university.”
Book a place
The fee for the History Masterclass is £85 per student. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries for students who would otherwise have difficulty attending. To book a place please email info@debatechamber.com, call 0845 519 4827, or fill out the form below.
If you are a teacher interested in holding a History event at your school please click here.