Aims & Objectives

Course Aims

• Encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• Enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material

• Promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and the culture of other societies

• Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity

• Enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the individuals and societies subjects are contestable and that their study requires the toleration of uncertainty

• Develop in students an understanding of, and continuing interest in the past, particularly in relation to the modern history of Kazakhstan and the impact of developments in the former USSR and the rest of the world on Kazakhstan

• Encourage students to engage with multiple perspectives and to appreciate the complex nature of historical concepts, issues, events and developments

• Promote international-mindedness through developing an appreciation and respect for different cultures in Kazakhstan and the rest of the world

• Promote an understanding of history as a discipline and to develop historical consciousness including a sense of chronology and context, and an understanding of different historical perspectives, developing various skills such as analysis, synthesis, research and evaluation

• Develop key historical skills, including engaging effectively with sources

• Increase students understanding of themselves and of Kazakh society by encouraging reflection on its past

Assessment Objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding

• Communicate an understanding of historical sources

• Use relevant and accurate historical knowledge

• Show an understanding of historical concepts and contexts

• Use historical knowledge within context and in relation to concepts

• Demonstrate an understanding of regional and international influences on Kazakhstan since the late 19th century including the role of Kazakhstan regionally and internationally

2. Application and analysis

• Analyse and interpret historical sources

• Compare and contrast historical sources as evidence

• Use historical knowledge as evidence within arguments

• Construct coherent historical arguments using information from a variety of sources

• Analyse the significance and role of historical knowledge in an analysis

• Show awareness of difference perspectives and approaches to historical issues of Kazakhstan

• Compare and contrast historical arguments regarding the history of Kazakhstan

3. Synthesis and evaluation

• Evaluate historical sources as evidence focusing on values and limitations

• Use evidence and analysis together to produce an argument

• Compare and contrast historical arguments within an evaluation

• Evaluate approaches to and interpretations of historical arguments and issues

• Synthesize arguments to the extent of most possible agreement, while acknowledging inconsistencies, in response to questions about the history of Kazakhstan

• Use critical commentary to inquire about the value of arguments and significance of knowledge about the history of Kazakhstan

4. Use and application of appropriate skills

• Construct arguments in academic essays

• Use appropriate referencing methodologies consistently

• Construct a comprehensive inquiry about a historical issue

• Demonstrate evidence of research, organization, analysis and synthesis in response to an inquiry