Economic and Social History

Teaching and examination comprises:

• 'What happened and why: an introduction to themes and approaches in economic and social history', a required course for all students, focusing on social sciences methodologies and approaches and taught through a series of lectures and parallel classes during Michaelmas and the first half of Hilary term;
• a course in quantitative methods and computer applications for economic and social history: You will be allocated to either the standard or the advanced course, depending on your previous training. More advanced students will be able to take a quantitative methods course provided as part of the MPhil in Economics, subject to satisfying admission criteria;
• four advanced papers, usually taught in small classes, mostly during Hilary term. Assessment is usually by three-hour written examination, but candidates may choose to be assessed for up to two of their advanced papers by two extended essays of up to 5,000 words each; and
• a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words on a topic of your choice, approved by your supervisor, and submitted at the beginning of Trinity term in the second year of the programme.

The standard course in quantitative methods and computer applications for economic and social history is a simple and very informal introduction to elementary quantitative methods covering some of the techniques most widely used in research in the historical and social sciences and emphasizing the relevance of the historical issues. No prior knowledge of mathematics or statistical theory is expected.

The advanced course is intended for students who have already been introduced to some form of quantitative methods, with the first few sessions serving as a refresher course in elementary quantitative methods. The course aims to ensure that you are aware of the range of quantitative techniques available for analysing problems in economic and social history. You will be taught how to use a number of popular statistical and econometric packages. Teaching sessions will involve computer classwork.

If you hope to proceed to doctoral research you will be encouraged to develop your doctoral proposal during the first few months of the second year of the course, so that you will be well placed to make doctoral applications in the spring