HIS1104 : Introduction to Public History
HIS1104 : Introduction to Public History
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jack Hepworth
- Lecturer: Dr Jen Kain, Dr Fergus Campbell, Dr Kristin Hussey, Professor Matt Perry
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This team-taught module will introduce students to key ideas and practices of public history. Through a series of case-studies, this module equips students to engage critically with core public history methodologies and concepts. Students will begin to develop some of the key skills of public historians, especially in relation to audience, communication, and collaboration.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics may include the following:
- What is public history?
- History for, with, and by the public
- Publics and counter-publics
- Community public histories
- Collaborative public histories
- The past in the present
- Shared authority
- Contested memory and heritage
- Memorialisation and commemoration
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of this module, students will:
- Appreciate how public history entails the use of the past in the present.
- Be initiated in the historiography of public history.
- Be familiar with some key public history concepts, taxonomies, and methodologies.
- Appreciate how the purposes and practices of public history vary in different settings and context.
- Think analytically about how wider publics pursue and engage with a sense of the past.
Intended Skill Outcomes
- Critical thinking and evaluation skills
- Collaborative working, in small groups and with external partners
- Public speaking
- Technical and communication skills for public presentations
- Analytical writing
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 62 | 1:00 | 62:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 60 | 1:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures enable students to gain a wider sense of historical argument and debate, and to develop familiarity with subject-specific material and core topics.
Seminars are an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning. They encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral presentation, interpersonal communication, problem-solving skills, research skills, and adaptability. They also scaffold and support preparation for assessments.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | A | 60 | 2500 word essay |
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 40 | 5-minute recorded, individual presentation (indicative word count 450-700 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Planning exercise for the oral examination/recorded presentation in the form of a written plan, picture-board, or outline of ideas. 600 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Summative assessment will comprise:
1. An individual presentation on an aspect of public history.
2. A final essay problematising public history and its central questions.
The recorded presentation is designed to assess students' skills in presenting personal reflections on a piece of public history. The more traditional essay format will assess critical thinking, academic reasoning, and expression.
The formative assessment allows students an opportunity to prepare, design, and receive feedback on their presentations.
Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading, and writing.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HIS1104's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- HIS1104's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.