Program Overview

HIST 489: Research Project

HIST 489 is a compulsory research essay undertaken in the completion of a BA (Hons) degree. The topic is devised principally by the student under the guidance of a History programme staff member.

Course Details

• Dates: 24 February 2025 to 9 November 2025
• Starts: Trimester 1+2
• Fees:
  • NZ$2,274.90 for domestic students
  • NZ$9,033.60 for international students
• Lecture start times: Friday, 2.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated workload: Approximately 300 hours or 8.1 hours per week for 37 weeks
• Points: 30

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Undertake a self-directed piece of research of 10,000 words to the standard of a quality, peer-reviewed article.
2. Base their research on a wide reading of primary and/or secondary sources.
3. Develop a solid and historically informed topic based on their research.
4. Advance a historically defensible argument about that research as it relates to existing historiography.

How This Course is Taught

HIST 489 is a compulsory research essay undertaken in consultation with a History programme staff member. Regular support workshops for students will be held in Trimester 1, with online alternatives for those who cannot attend in-person.

Assessment

• 10,000 word research essay: Mark 100%
• Mandatory requirements:
  1. Submit a progress report.
  2. Present a 20-minute paper at the HIST 489 seminar.
  3. Submit the HIST 489 research essay.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 24 February 2025 to 13 April 2025
• 28 April 2025 to 1 June 2025
• 7 July 2025 to 17 August 2025
• 1 September 2025 to 12 October 2025

What You'll Need to Get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.