https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/L_GAMAGES022After completing this course students will be able to:identify, analyse, and critique the key elements of major historical works, particularly historiography, theory, primary sources and archives, and methodology;carry out a core element of historical analysis, that is, comparing and evaluating written pieces of historical argumentation;demonstrate advanced, specialist writing skills relevant to a history thesis;practice skills of peer review and critical reflection;write a detailed, informed criticism of a monograph in the context of its field.This course introduces the elements of historical research at the MA level. It examines how historians do their work, bringing their research to the public in the form of a book, or monograph. We break down the intellectual process into its building blocks, guiding students through how historians use evidence, interpret it, and formulate a complex argument in dialogue with the work that other scholars have done on the topic. We guide students through practicing how to identify, analyse, evaluate, and produce the main ‘elements’ of disciplined historical research they read in books: histography, primary sources, archives, methodology, and theory. With a series of guest lectures in the first three weeks of the course, students will be exposed to a range of possible specialisations in their area of interest – for example global history, environmental history, cultural history, and religious history. They will then choose an area to focus on and built some expertise in. Students new to the study of history will find this course an informative introduction to the discipline. Students who have studied history at the undergraduate level will find this course a useful refresher and guide for how to conduct their own project.Two weekly sessions with mandatory attendance. NB: There will be a number of additional sessions and activities for RMA students.Written assignments + Final review essayReadings will be available on Canvas or through the VU Library. Students are advised to acquire a copy of the one book (out of five) that they choose to study in depth for the course. The choices will be placed on Canvas at the start of the course.Students MA History; Students Humanities Research Master, Specialisation Global History. Not suitable as elective for other studies. A BA in history or being admitted to the MA or RMA History is required.