MHI-003

MHI-003

Product Code: MHI-003Historiography

     

MHI-03 Historiography: Course Description

Course Overview

The MHI-03 Historiography course, offered as part of the Master of Arts in History (MAH) program by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), delves into the study of historiography, the writing of history, and the methods used in historical research and analysis. This course provides an in-depth understanding of various historiographical traditions, key historical debates, and the evolution of historical writing over time.

Course Objectives

  1. Understanding Historiography: To familiarize students with the concept of historiography and its significance in the study of history.
  2. Historiographical Traditions: To explore different historiographical traditions and their development across different periods and regions.
  3. Historical Methodology: To examine the methodologies and approaches employed by historians in their research and writing.
  4. Critical Analysis: To develop the ability to critically analyze historical texts and understand the perspectives and biases inherent in historical writing.
  5. Research Skills: To enhance research skills by engaging with primary and secondary sources and applying historiographical methods.

Course Structure

The MHI-03 Historiography course is structured into various units, each focusing on different aspects of historiography and historical methods. The units are as follows:

  1. Introduction to Historiography:

    • Definition and scope of historiography.
    • Importance of historiography in the study of history.
  2. Ancient Historiographical Traditions:

    • Historiography in ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, China, and India.
    • Key historians and their contributions.
  3. Medieval Historiography:

    • Historiographical developments during the medieval period.
    • The impact of religious and cultural changes on historical writing.
  4. Modern Historiography:

    • The emergence of modern historiography in the West.
    • The influence of the Enlightenment and scientific methods on history.
  5. Marxist Historiography:

    • The principles of Marxist historiography.
    • Contributions of key Marxist historians.
  6. Annales School:

    • The origins and contributions of the Annales School.
    • Emphasis on social history and long-term historical structures.
  7. Subaltern Studies:

    • The rise of subaltern studies in the context of post-colonial historiography.
    • Key themes and scholars in subaltern historiography.
  8. Feminist Historiography:

    • The impact of feminist theory on historical research.
    • Contributions of feminist historians to the understanding of history.
  9. Oral History:

    • The significance of oral history as a method of historical research.
    • Techniques and challenges in collecting and analyzing oral histories.
  10. Postmodern Historiography:

    • The influence of postmodernism on historical writing and interpretation.
    • Critical perspectives on traditional historiographical methods.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the MHI-03 Historiography course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the major historiographical traditions and their evolution.
  • Critically evaluate historical texts and sources using various historiographical approaches.
  • Apply historical research methods in the analysis and interpretation of historical events and trends.
  • Articulate well-reasoned arguments and perspectives on historiographical debates.
  • Conduct independent historical research with a solid grounding in historiographical principles.

Assessment

The assessment for the MHI-03 Historiography course includes a combination of assignments, term papers, and examinations. Students are required to submit written assignments that reflect their understanding of the course material and their ability to apply historiographical methods. The final examination assesses the overall comprehension and critical thinking skills developed throughout the course.

Recommended Readings

  • E.H. Carr: What is History?
  • Marc Bloch: The Historian’s Craft
  • Peter Burke: The French Historical Revolution: The Annales School, 1929–1989
  • Ranajit Guha (Ed.): Subaltern Studies series
  • Gerda Lerner: The Creation of Patriarchy

This course description provides a comprehensive overview of the MHI-03 Historiography course, outlining its objectives, structure, learning outcomes, and assessment methods, along with recommended readings to support students in their studies.