HIS4822 - History in Contemporary Society

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) Describe the variety of uses made of history outside the academic field in the popular media and in the heritage industry;
(2) Understand current debates on the advantages and disadvantages of popular representation of the past;
(3) Engage in basic evaluation of examples of popular history;
(4) Engage in the production of an example of popular history and discuss the way in which the past has been represented in it;
(5) Engage in group work, leading to an oral presentation.

Content:

Students will explore the role played by history in the popular media and the heritage industry. In the first two thirds of the module they will study and assess examples of popular history, such as historical films, history documentaries, historical novels, museums, and heritage sites and activities, and will engage with current debates on varieties of popular history. Case-studies of examples of popular forms of history will be used to illustrate and explore these topics: this will include a field visit to a local museum/heritage site. In the final third of the module, students will undertake a group project, which will involve an oral presentation and the production of an example of popular history – such as the first chapter of an historical novel or story, the first act of an historical play, the script and storyboard for the first scene of an historical film, or a small exhibition/display. In a report, they will reflect on the use made of the past.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning will be facilitated through workshops, with use of video, site visits, plus student report-back sessions & presentations. When the cohort size exceeds 20 the cohort will be divided into two workshop groups, as shown in the table above.

Workshops/Seminars/Tutorials
Contact hours 35
Number of groups 2

Site Visit
Contact hours 5
Number of groups 1

Assessment:

001 Portfolio of reviews 1 x 2500 words 50%
002 Group oral presentation 20%
003 Report 1 x 1500 words 30%
900 Essay %


Click here to go back to previous page