HIS1104 : Introduction to Public History
HIS1104 : Introduction to Public History
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jack Hepworth
- Lecturer: Dr Lauren Darwin, Dr Kristin Hussey, Professor Graham Smith
- Teaching Assistant: Mr Rob Granger
- 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 module will introduce students to ideas and practices of public history, and critically engage with some approaches. Students will begin to develop some of the key skills of public historians, especially in regards to communication and collaboration.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics may include the following:
•Introduction: What is public history? An international overview
•Publics and counter-publics and why they matter
•The past in the present: historical justice
•Approaches to Public History
-History for the public: delivery and reception
-History with the public: history from below and memory activism
-History in public: heritage, memorialisation and commemoration
Case Studies working across the inter-connected themes of race, war, environment, gender and class.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of this module, students will have:
• Understanding that public history is the use of the past in the present.
• Knowledge of the historiography of public history, including some of the key international debates.
• Understanding that public history is defined and practiced in different ways in different places around the world.
• A developing understanding of key theoretical concepts relevant to public history, including public sphere, audience, imagined communities, historical consciousness and historical justice.
• A developing understanding of the reception of the past by publics.
• Knowledge of different ways public history is practiced including through popular culture, cultural institutions, legal frameworks and memory activism.
Intended Skill Outcomes
• Critical thinking and evaluation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in small groups
• Public speaking skills
• Technical and communication skills for public presentations
• Online writing skills
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.
SEMINARS: weekly 2 hour 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 will also be used to scaffold and allow 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 |
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 be by (1) an individual presentation on an aspect of public history and (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 style format will assess critical thinking, academic reasoning and execution.
The formative assessment will give students the chance to prepare and design their presentations, and to be given feedback.
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 2024 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, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.