Module Code - Title:
HI2101
-
HISTORY OF FAMILY I: THEORY AND PRACTICE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This first module is aimed at introducing students to key concepts, theories and methodologies in the history of family, underpinning any future study with sound genealogical methods. In facilitating an overview of principals, goals and end products, it will guide students in their independent research and writing. The module will equip students with essential skills in problem-solving, research design and report writing and will encourage engagement with ethical research questions concerning the contested nature of memory in the creation of historical sources. As such, it provides the basic framework for all research assignments to be covered in this certificate programme.
Syllabus:
What is history of family? It is where we place people in their time period and find out how they lived, putting the meat on the bones so to speak. This module will introduce students to the various theories, contemporary issues and debates in existing scholarship of field of history of family. Seminar as well as practical sessions will encourage students to reflect on and examine a range of questions with respect to such concepts as subjectivity, narrative, memory and identity. Introduction and interrogation of international as well as national practice patterns in the history of family for example, the debate surrounding family size and structure.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module a student will:
Understand the ethical issues pertaining to the discipline.
Attain expertise in the field of history of family.
Be equipped for independent research and writing.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Jordanova, L. (2000)
History in Practice
, London
Finnegan, R. and Michael Drake (eds.) (1994)
Studying Family and Community History, vols. 1-4
, Cambridge
Guinnane, T.W. (1997)
The Vanishing Irish
, Princeton
Other Relevant Texts:
Drake, M. (ed.) (1994)
The Family and Community: Perspectives on Family and Community History
, Oxford
Goody, J. (2000)
The European Family: An Historico-Anthropological Essay
, Oxford
Hey, D. (1996)
The Oxford Companion to Local and Family History
, Oxford:
Oxford University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
David.Butler@ul.ie