Syllabus

190021-1 SE BM 10 Bachelorarbeit (AHP+SB+SP) (2023W)

Working with historical educational material texts

Mondays, 15:00-18:15
Lecturer: Kevser Muratovic, kevser.muratovic@univie.ac.at
Tutor: Alexander Dimitrov, alexander.dimitrov@univie.ac.at

1. Course Goals, Content, and Method

One of the most important methods for conducting historical research is the analysis of
historical documents. In historical educational research, much can be learned about
curricula goals by analyzing school laws, curricula, and teaching materials such as
textbooks. In this seminar, therefore, we will look at how to write a historical bachelor
thesis. Appropriate theories and methods will be presented, worked out together, and
discussed.
However, the focus will be on the personal bachelor thesis topic of each participant. If no
corresponding topic is available, the seminar will provide a framework to develop an
appropriate research question.

2. Evaluation Criteria
• active participation (English/German)
• different homework tasks in due time
• peer-group presentation of a text + handout
• peer-groups and peer-feedback
• development & preparation of bachelor's thesis (English/German), including:
• abstract(English/German)
• work plan (English/German)
• presentation (English/German)
• final literature-based bachelor's thesis (English /German)
• you must have a passing grade on the bachelor's thesis in order to pass the seminar.
• please consider adherence to the principles of good scientific practice as elementary
conditions for scientific working. Your BA thesis can be used at any time for a further
oral discussion.

3. Bachelor Thesis Requirements

• font: 12 pt.; 1.5 pt.-spaced
• margins: 2-2.5 cm, justified
• volume: no more than 50,000 characters (in total)
• max. 20 A4 pages (body of text) / max. 25 A4 pages (in total)
• cover page: template on Moodle
• citation style: only APA will be accepted (be consistent throughout the thesis) Please
respect the scientific writing requirements and do not plagiarize!
• deadline for handing in your Bachelor Thesis: 29.02.2024 or 21.03.2024 by 12
o’clock noon
• please note that later submissions will not be considered

4. In-class presentations
• small group/pair 15-20 minutes presentation of thesis topics
• individual presentation 15-20 minutes
• cultural context theme of group
 • contextualization of work (temporal, political, social, ...)
• establish/make links between group members' research interests
• description of general and individual research interests, research questions
• other thesis topics to consider including:
• literature review, theoretical background, etc.
• Work in progress (What has been done so far? What are next steps?)
• Questions for / Advice from the audience (Where do I possibly need help?)
• You can use a PowerPoint presentation, but it is not required.

5. Course schedule
• 15:00-16:00 part 1
• 16:00-16:10 break
• 16:10-17:10 part 2
• 17:10-17:20 break
• 17:20-18:15 part 3

6. Course sessions

Session 1: Monday, 02.10.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 introduction, schedule, requirements
Part 2 students’ introduction, expectations, status quo
Part 3 finding a topic, literature research, contextualization of a case
(1) read the text Tröhler (2013) and Tröhler (2017)
(2) find a RQ/thesis
(3) define 5-6 keywords
(4) define the historical context for your topic

Session 2: Monday, 16.10.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion Tröhler (2013) and Tröhler (2017)
Part 2 concept of your thesis, table of contents
Part 3 abstracts, introductions, peer groups
(1) read the text McCulloch & Watts (2003)
(2) work on concept
(3) write an abstract
(4) structure your introduction
(5) get in contact with your peer group/partners and discuss your topics

Session 3: Monday, 30.10.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion McCulloch & Watts (2003) à group presentation + handout
Part 2 Paradigmatic stance, historical and theoretical backgrounds
Part 3 Peer discussion/review with focus on: keywords, abstract, introduction
(1) read the text Titscher et al. (2000)
(2) figure out your own paradigmatic stance
(3) write historical and theoretical approach sections of thesis
(4) work on your presentation for December

Session 4: Monday, 13.11.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion: Titscher et al. (2000) à group presentation + handout
Part 2 Methodology, finding / choosing sources
Part 3 peer review
(1) read the text Pocock (2008)
 (2) choose your historical sources
(3) think about the relevant context that goes along with the chosen source(s)
in connection with your proposed research goals/questions
(4) develop your methodology and framework

Session 5: Monday, 27.11.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion Pocock (2008)
Part 2 Revise Introduction and Abstract
Part 3 peer review
(1) read the text Skinner (2002)
(2) choose your historical sources
(3) think about the relevant context that goes along with the chosen source(s)
in connection with your proposed research goals/questions
(4) develop your methodology and framework

Session 6: Monday, 11.12.2023 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion Skinner (2002)
Part 2 Individual presentations + peer feedback
Part 3 Individual presentations + peer feedback
(1) read the text Edling & Mörkenstam (1995)
(2) choose your historical sources
(3) think about the relevant context that goes along with the chosen source(s)
in connection with your proposed research goals/questions
(4) develop your methodology and framework

Session 7: Monday. 15.01.2024 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 No class: schedule individual meetings with Kevser during January to discuss
progress
(1) Work on your bachelor thesis
(2) Share“current state of thesis” with your peer group partner by

Session 8: Monday, 29.01.2024 (15:00-18:15)

Part 1 Text discussion: Edling & Mörkenstam (1995)
Part 2 Citation and formatting workshop with Aleksander
Part 3 Conclusion, peer review
(1) Write conclusion and revise introduction
(2) finish writing your bachelor thesis
(3) Final upload of your Bachelor’s Thesis to moodle by

Literature

Edling, M. & Mörkenstam, U. (1995). Quentin Skinner: From Historian of Ideas to Political
Scientist. Scandinavian Political Studies, 18(2), 119-132.
McCulloch, G. & Watts, R. (2003). Introduction: Theory, methodology, and the history of
education. History of Education, 32(2), 129-132.
Pocock, J.G.A. (2008). Political Thought and History: Essays on Theory and Method
(pp.87-105). Cambridge University Press.
Skinner, Q. (2002). Vision of Politics: Volume 1 Regarding Method (pp.103-127).
Camebridge University Press.
Titscher, S., Meyer, M., Wodak, R., & Vetter, E. (2000). Methods of Text and Discourse
Analysis (pp.31-50). Sage.
Tröhler, D. (2013). Truffle Pigs, Research Questions, and Histories of Education. In T.S.
Popkewitz (ed.), Rethinking the History of Education: Transnational Perspectives on
Its Questions, Methods, and Knowledge (pp.75-92). Springer.
Tröhler, D. (2017). Tracking the Educationalization of the World: Prospects for an
emancipated history of education. Pedagogika, 67(4), 351–366.