Practical introduction to historical research, including an introduction to artificial intelligence and digital issues in history

Duration

20h Th, 40h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Florence Close, Eric Geerkens, Catherine Lanneau, Sophie Richelle

Coordinator

Sophie Richelle

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

If a student fails an examination during the first term:

• They are permitted to resit the assessed subject during the second term (May-June);

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course 'Practical Introduction to Historical Research' introduces, from the first year of the Bachelor's degree, the practices and tools of the scientific method used by all historians (whether in training or practising).

This course constitutes the first methodological stage of history studies and is an essential prerequisite for the 'Heuristique' courses in the second year of the Bachelor's degree. Firstly, it trains students in the principles of a research-based approach, emphasising the distinction between sources and scholarly works, whilst introducing them to the tools of historical research. Secondly, it introduces them to the critical reading of historical scholarly works and to the basic principles of academic writing.

It also helps students to refine their command of the French language within the specific context of history studies.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• understand and explain the four-stage research process presented in the course: information search (1), literature search (2), locating (3) and accessing documents (4);
• distinguish between a source (a record of the past) and a scholarly work (a scientific publication that uses sources in an informed, reasoned and critical manner);
• understand the nature of the various online and offline research tools in order to follow the most rigorous research methodology possible;
• understand the general organisation of the collections held in the libraries of the University of Liège and be familiar with how these libraries operate;
• select, locate and use relevant materials (research tools, bibliographies and academic works) to gather information and carry out bibliographic research on any historical topic;
• read, understand and analyse a scholarly article in history, and more specifically: dentify the author and the publication; determine the research problem and research questions; identify the methods employed by the author to support their argument (sources, works, methodology); identify the argumentative techniques and logical connectors used by the author to construct their argument; identify the main findings; present all these points in a coherent and comprehensible report, combining correct syntax, appropriate vocabulary, correct spelling and appropriate punctuation;
• use reliable information, cite it correctly and avoid any form of plagiarism;
• improve their command of the French language and grasp the basics of academic writing in history.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

A good knowledge of basic language skills in French is required (spelling, vocabulary, grammar and syntax).

To enable students to assess their level of knowledge in French, a writing task (in person) and a diagnostic test (online) will be set during the first lesson of the course. Both of these activities are compulsory for all those enrolled on the IPRH course. In the case of absence from this lesson, students will be required to retake the assessment on an alternative date in order to be eligible to sit the examination.

Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark will be contacted personally by the programme's teaching assistant, Ms Cécile Gorré (cgorre@uliege.be), who will offer them, during one-to-one meetings, tailored remedial activities aimed at improving their command of the French language.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course alternates between theory lessons and practical exercises, held either in the classroom or in the library. It combines the following learning activities:

• a tour of the libraries that are essential for history students;
• practical use of research tools (dictionaries, timelines, atlases, comprehensive overviews, etc.) in both print and digital formats;
• a general introduction to bibliographic research and the use of bibliographic research tools;
• compiling bibliographic references and an introduction to using reference management and formatting software (Zotero);
• the gradual development of a method for reading academic texts;
• writing summaries and reviews;
• systematic revision of grammar, spelling and syntax rules... to ensure a sound command of the French language.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

This university-level course is coordinated by Sophie Richelle, who delivers most of the sessions, assisted by two teaching assistants (Ninon Gavage and XXX). Florence Close, Éric Geerkens et Catherine Lanneau take part in some lessons to illustrate the diversity of approaches within a common methodology; this is one of the distinctive features of this course.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Further information:

Given the strong practical dimension of the course, there iare no official lecture notes.

A series of useful learning resources will be made available on the course's eCampus page throughout the year: 

• various PowerPoint materials ; 
• the course plan, including a timetable and the list of compulsory assignments ;
• activity sheets informing you of the different objectives, contents, materials and exercises linked with each course session ; 
• the wordings of the in-class exercises ;
• additional online exercises ; 
• scientific papers adressed in class ;
• the Guide to reading a scientific article in history;
• language activities worked on face-to-face (language points , online test correction, summary activities...).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

A course with a specific criteria :

The IPRH course has a specific criteria for successful completion. Under no circumstances can a fail grade in this course be offset by another grade. Successful completion is therefore conditional upon achieving a grade of 10/20 or above.

Compulsory learning activities to be eligible for the exam:

As part of a continuous learning approach, the course includes certain essential compulsory activities and assignments. This means that they must have been completed and submitted before the first day of the term in order to sit the exam in January, June or August. The list of these compulsory activities and assignments is included in the online course outline. In the event of an absence requiring catch-up work, students must contact Ninon Gavage to find out the procedures for catching up (Ninon.Gavage@uliege.be).

This eligibility requirement is in accordance with Article 61(2) of the General Regulations on Studies and Assessments.

Exam 1 covering the subject matter from the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] term:

The January exam (open-ended questions), covering the subject matter from the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] term, is a qualifying exam. If passed (10/20 or above), the grade will count for 30 % of the overall final grade in June. If the grade is below 10/20, it will not be included in the overall final grade. The students concerned will have to retake the exam in June and, if necessary, during the second sitting in August.

Exam 2 covering the subject matter from the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] and 2nd terms:

Exam 2 takes place in June and covers the subject matter from the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] and 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] terms (open-ended questions). It accounts for 70 % of the overall mark.

Objectives:

The written examinations aim to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter covered in the course, as well as their ability to apply the skills practised throughout the year. In this context, knowledge in the French language will be assessed as a fully integrated part of the overall final grade.

Defining the scope of use for Artificial Intelligence generative tools:

In order to ensure the acquisition of the historical skills specified in the learning objectives and in accordance with the institutional charter-which allows each programme to draw up a more restrictive framework than the default framework it defines-the only uses of a generative artificial intelligence tool that are permitted, subject to the explicit consent of the course lecturer, are:

• the use for the purpose of formal language improvement, i.e. exclusively for spelling and grammar correction, excluding any formulation or re-formulation;
• the use for the purpose of translating modern languages;
• the use for the translation of ancient languages - solely in cases where no academic translation exists and excluding exercises (in class or at home) and examination papers consisting specifically of translating a text from Latin or Ancient Greek, for which any use is strictly prohibited.

• either that they have not used Artificial Intelligence generative tools at all;
• or that they have used it, strictly within the limits specified above.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course is provided throughout the year, with sessions of 2 or 3 hours per week (on Wednesdays from 1.00 pm), following the timetable provided in class.

Students are warmly encouraged to raise any points they do not understand during the course or to submit their questions by email. Depending on the nature of the questions asked, answers will be provided by email or addressed during the session. Appointments can be arranged on request.

Contacts

Coordinator: Sophie Richelle (Sophie.Richelle@ulb.be)

Assistants : Ninon Gavage (ninon.gavage@uliege.be) et xxx

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.