Department Of History.

Studying History at Sheffield – An Introductory Guide www.sheffield.ac.uk/history/current_students/ undergraduate/level1 2

Welcome to Sheffield!

During Intro Week you may feel swamped with information about different aspects of student life, but we hope that you’ll take the time to read through this short guide to studying History at Sheffield. It won’t tell you everything you need to know in your first year and you’ll find more detailed information on our Department website (www.sheffield.ac.uk/history). This booklet is just a starting point. It will give you a sense of what you can expect as a Sheffield History student, and also what’s expected of you. 3

What to expect in the first few weeks

Intro Week is normally very busy and you will have a lot to think about. Here is a check-list of the things you need to do in these first few days:

1. Confirm your pre-selected modules and sign up for seminars in the Department. 2. Where appropriate attend meetings with your dual department. 3. Attend Module Enrolment, if you wish to take modules from outside of History, and where appropriate your dual department. 4. Complete your University registration. 5. Register with the University Health Service. 6. Meet your personal tutor.

What are MUSE and MOLE? MUSE (My Environment) is a customisable web portal that provides you with personalised access to all of the University’s online resources. Through it you can log on to ‘MOLE’ (My Online Learning Environment), which is just one of the many useful things you can find on MUSE. There are MOLE sites dedicated to each of your modules and these provide learning materials such as lecture programmes, instructions for seminar preparation, essay questions, and reading lists. 4

How is university study different from school or college?

Many students find that studying History at degree level is rather different from their experience at school or college. Here are some key differences:

• Greater freedom to explore the topics and questions that interest you.

• New kinds of teaching styles and methods, including lectures and seminars.

• Fewer classes scheduled on your timetable - and more independent reading and research.

• More emphasis on you to take responsibility for your own work and ask for help when you need it.

You will need to manage your time effectively and to get a good balance between relaxation and study. A diary, wall-planner, or smartphone calendar can be useful ways to approach this. Look at your timetable and think about when you are going to complete the seminar preparation required. As a rule of thumb, we expect you to devote 200 hours of study to each 20-credit module you take.

Also think about the semester as a whole. When are your essays due, and when do you need to start work on them? If you have two essays due at the same time, remember you can submit one of them ahead of time. Having more than one essay due at the same time is not a valid reason to request an extension. 5

What is a lecture? What is a seminar?

Lectures are used to provide an Whilst a lecture may be delivered to introductory overview, to draw as many as three hundred students, together the main ideas about a the seminar will be a rather different subject, and to raise questions experience. They are small group for you to consider. Sometimes a meetings with participation and lecturer might ask you to discuss an discussion by the whole group. At idea with a neighbour or reflect on a Level 1 we cap seminar groups at particular image or text, but normally twelve students in order to create a you’ll be listening and taking notes. supportive learning environment in Try to summarise key points and which we hope you feel comfortable. remember that PowerPoint slides will In History, there is rarely a right or normally be available on MOLE after a wrong answer, so use seminars to the lecture, so don’t feel you need to try out your own ideas and follow capture every detail. Focus instead on up on points which are unclear from understanding the key ideas. the lecture or your own reading. You will get the most out of seminars if you prepare thoroughly in advance. You will be given a list of required or recommended reading, sometimes with a list of questions to consider; some tutors might ask you to prepare a short presentation. 6

How to do well in your degree

We hope that you use your first year to build the skills and confidence you need to flourish on your degree and to get the best possible results you can. So what is the key to success?

1. Ask when you need help. Academic staff hold drop-in sessions (‘office hours’) each week and at these times you do not need to make an appointment beforehand. Seminar tutors will be happy to answer further questions you may have about material covered in the seminars or discuss ways you might improve your oral or written work. Personal tutors are also ready to discuss your general academic progress.

2. Learn your way around the library and electronic resources. The reading lists for modules will include a mixture of books and journal articles. If you are struggling to access reading materials, speak with your seminar tutor or ask a member of library staff about further induction sessions.

3. Check what’s expected. At the start of any module, look carefully at the materials provided on MOLE. Make sure you know what kind of preparation is expected for each class, how you will be assessed, and when the deadlines for assessed work are.

What is a journal article?

Journals are publications which appear on a regular basis (frequently several times a year) and contain articles about academic topics. They are an excellent way to find out about current research in the area you’re studying. In the past journals were only available in paper copies (held in the library) but now many – though not all - can be accessed electronically. 7

4. Try to improve your essay-writing. The Department website and MOLE provide guidance on study skills, marking criteria, and a Style Guide explaining the conventions of academic writing you are expected to follow.

5. Aim high. You’ve all done well to get here and you should have high expectations of yourself. We reward excellence and each year the Wellings Prize in Modern History is awarded to a student who shows distinction and promise in their first-year exams. There are similar prizes at Levels 2 and 3.

If your essay feedback suggests there are problems with your writing you might find it useful to book a session at The Writing Advisory Service (WAS). WAS provides one-to-one sessions with a specialist writing tutor. See: www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/ languagesupport/writingadvisory

Plagiarism and Collusion – Don’t get caught out!

All work must be your own. Copying a friend, cutting and pasting from the internet, submitting the same essay for two different modules, or failing to accurately reference where your ideas come from, are all considered forms of cheating.

We use an electronic system called Turnitin to check your essays and penalties often result in a student failing a module. Offenders are sometimes referred to the University Discipline Committee.

Detailed guidance is available on the Department website and we recommend all students complete the online tutorial available from the ‘Information Skills Tutorials’ section of the Library website. 8

Top tips from our students

‘Even though first year marks don’t count to your degree, university essays are quite different to A-Level ones so I would strongly advise you approach your essays as if they do count, both to find out what essay- writing style suits you best and as good practice for the all-important second and third years.’ - Chris Polechonski, History.

‘Don’t be shy or frightened to contribute to seminars. Everyone’s interpretation is welcome.’ - Chris Baker, History.

‘Take advantage of tutors’ office hours, 5 minutes alone can be all the difference in whether the penny drops with regard to essay writing techniques at university level.’ - Pete Hutcheon, History. 9

‘My main advice for first years would be to make sure they do their seminar work as thoroughly as possible. If you annotate journal articles with the key points as you go along it will save you so much time when it comes to exams!’ - Lauren Newman, History and Sociology.

‘Make the most of all the opportunities you have. Seek out help, extra information and anything else that you need. Tutors are here to help you’ - Amy Fedeski History and Politics.

‘Having to achieve a minimum of 2.1 in first year to go abroad helped me motivate myself to try harder in first year. Level 1 may not count towards your overall mark, but I have used scholars I found through first year reading in second and third year work. Set your own targets in first year and build your end result from day one.’ - Jon Montgomery, History. 10

What to do if things go wrong

The History Reception is often a good first port of call. If you want to change a module, submit an Extenuating Circumstances form, or simply need help with any general queries, our friendly support staff can help.

Personal tutors are always ready to talk about your academic progress or personal problems which are affecting your studies. If you have doubts about whether you have taken the right module/degree course, are struggling with the workload, anxious about money, or worried about your academic progress, come and speak with your personal tutor. Sometimes students feel the need to break from their studies for medical or personal reasons (called a Leave of Absence) and your personal tutor can discuss this. ‘I’m having financial difficulties. Your personal tutor may not always Is there any help?’ be able to help personally, but s/he will help you find more specialised In addition to the bursaries you may sources of support if needed. You have applied for prior to arrival there may be advised to speak with the are additional sources of financial Level 1 Tutor or the Senior Tutor, support available once you’re here. or you might be directed towards To find out more, see www.sheffield. one the of University’s specialist ac.uk/ssid/finance or visit the Student services. Advice Centre in the Students’ Union building.

Emailing Etiquette

Email is one of the key ways we communicate with students so please check your University account on a regular basis. Academic and support staff also check email accounts regularly, in working hours, and during term-time we will usually respond to your messages within 2-3 working days, but do consider whether your message is really necessary first – the information may be available already on the website! Please make sure that you address all staff courteously, both on email and in person. 11

Free sources of support available at the University of Sheffield:

301: Student Skills and Development Centre. 301 supports your student journey by ensuring you have the skills to develop into a well-rounded graduate, through a variety of workshops, tutorials and other support. www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/services.

Careers Service. Information, advice and guidance is available to all students and graduates on a range of careers-related issues. www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers.

Counselling Services. The University offers confidential counselling services, free of charge to any student. www.sheffield.ac.uk/counselling.

Disability and Dyslexia Support Services. If you have a disability, or become aware of an issue during the course of your studies, you should contact DDSS. www.sheffield.ac.uk/disability.

Sheffield University Nightline. Nightline is the University’s confidential listening and information telephone service. Run by trained student volunteers, it operates from 8pm till 8am every night during term time. Listening line: 0114 222 8787; info line: 0114 222 8788.

SSiD. If you have a query or need some information SSiD is often a great place to start. They have extensive knowledge of University processes and can also signpost or redirect you to specialist staff in other departments. www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid.

Student Advice Centre. The Student Advice Centre is a free, friendly Students’ Union service, providing advice and information on various matters including money, housing, academic, consumer and immigration issues. www.sheffield.ac.uk/union/student-advice-centre.

University Health Service. All students are encouraged to register for the University Health Service at the start of the academic year. www.sheffield.ac.uk/health. 12

What should I do if I’m unable to attend University?

During your time at University it is almost inevitable that illness will affect your studies at some point. You might also experience personal circumstances which affect your work. Don’t panic, here are some tips on what to do:

- If you miss a seminar please make sure you send an email to your seminar tutor explaining why you are unable come to class. Absence from University for less than one week (for medical or personal reasons) should be explained in a Student Self-Certification form, which you should submit to the History Reception. - If you are absent for more than a week, or if you are experiencing problems (medical or personal) that are having an ongoing affect on your studies, you should submit an Extenuating Circumstances form. - If these circumstances are due to illness you should visit the University Health Service and complete the Online Extenuating Circumstances form, to receive medical evidence. - If the circumstances are non medical the form should be submitted to the History Reception. - If there are health or serious personal difficulties which mean you are struggling to meet an essay deadline, make sure you ask for an extension in good time – we are sympathetic if there are genuine problems. For extensions, you should complete an electronic EXTENSIONS FORM, which is available on the Department website at: www.sheffield.ac.uk/history/ current_students/undergraduate/extensions/level1. The Level 1 Tutor will consider your request and respond to you. - Students who are unable to attend an exam because of illness should contact the Level 1 Tutor BEFOREHAND (wherever possible). Exam Boards will require medical evidence. - Your personal tutor will be happy to meet and discuss any concerns of an academic or personal nature. To download these forms and for more advice please visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/history/current_students/undergraduate/absences 13

‘I only need to get 40 at Level 1 don’t I?’

Some students see the first year as a time to have fun, rather than concentrating on their academic work. It is true that the marks gained at Level 1 don’t count towards your final degree classification. And we certainly hope you enjoy your first year. But – and this is a big BUT – students who don’t put the work in sometimes come unstuck. No one wants to be back in an exam hall in August, paying to resit exams, so it’s worth thinking about the following:

- In order to pass a module, you need to submit every piece of work and attend every exam. A missed or failed essay/exam may result in a resit fee. - If an essay is late, marks will be deducted and this can result in an essay failing. Even a few minutes delay will incur a penalty. - The University expects attendance throughout the whole of each semester and we record absence from seminars. Repeated absences without good reason will affect your oral mark and you will be asked to meet with the Level 1 Tutor. - Remember you need to pass all of your Level 1 modules in order to automatically progress to Level 2. More important than all of the above is this: your first year is your opportunity to develop as an historian. First-year marks do not affect your final degree result because we feel you need the time to find your feet. Use this year well and you will go into Level 2 confident that you know how to carry out research effectively, write coherent and persuasive essays, and discuss your ideas effectively in class.

Make sure that you regularly make back-up copies of your essays as computer problems are not grounds for an extension. Remember that both the electronic and paper copy must be submitted on time. For up-to-date information about essay submission, check the website. 14

History outside the lecture hall

There are lots of activities, sports, jobs, and volunteering opportunities available to you as a Sheffield student. They are a great way to meet new people, expand your interests, and gain useful experience for the future. Applying for a job might seem a long way off now, but in three (or four) years’ time you’ll find that being able to speak about the organisational and personal skills you acquired as a member of a society or team is very valuable.

Here are some of the History activities you might like to participate in:

- History Society: run by History students, the society organises socials, an annual trip abroad, guest lectures, sports events, and careers talks.

- History Student-Staff Forum: a twice-semester meeting which gives students a chance to have their say.

- Witness: a project in which students get the chance to interview Sheffielders about their part in the city’s history.

- History in the City: a student-led project which sends volunteers out into local schools to mentor A Level students.

- New Histories: a free online History-themed magazine brought to you by students from the University of Sheffield.

You will hear more about all of these over the next few weeks, but you can find more information on the Department website. We also have an online noticeboard on MOLE to advertise upcoming events, conferences and jobs targeting History students.

It’s never too early to think about life after University. Departmental events will be announced, but you should also take advantage of the support offered by the Careers Service. See www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers. 15

We hope that this booklet has been useful in letting you know about some of the opportunities, resources, and support which are on offer, as well as giving you a sense of what is expected of you. The key message is to keep in contact and to ask for help as and when you need it. And we hope that the next few weeks – indeed the next three years – are both enjoyable and stimulating for all of you. Contact Details

History Reception – you’ll find the History Reception on the first floor, green wing of .

Opening Hours - weekdays 10:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00

Jessop West 1 Upper Hanover Street Sheffield, S3 7RA

Tel: 0114 222 2555 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/history

HistorySheffield

UniShefHistory

IT Support in History Tel: 0114 222 2613 or 0114 222 2590 Email: [email protected]

Level 1 Tutor for Single Honours Students: Dr Esme Cleall, [email protected]

Level 1 Tutor for Dual Honours Students: Dr Sarah Miller-Davenport, [email protected]

Senior Tutor: Dr Simon Middleton, [email protected]