HIS1104 : Introduction to Public History
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jack Hepworth
- Lecturer: Dr Fergus Campbell, Dr Kristin Hussey, Professor Matt Perry, Dr Jen Kain
- 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 | |
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
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 62 | 1:00 | 62:00 | 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.
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HIS1104's Timetable