Module: HIS7009-60 Public History Project

Level: 7

Credit Value: 60

Module Tutor: Cassie Newland

Module Tutor Contact Details: c.newland@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module

This module is offered as an alternative to the Dissertation. It demands the same intellectual rigour, and will require the same careful planning, review, and research, but its focus is on the public presentation of your findings, to and for a defined audience. Your project may be independently devised and developed, or you might want to work with one of our partner organizations, to contribute to exhibition planning, website design, or the creation of online materials. We will work with you to help you identify your project, building on the skills and experience you have gained during the earlier parts of the course.

In order to successfully complete this module, you will need to work with a variety of materials. These could include primary and secondary textual sources, archival materials, objects, artefacts and heritage sites. You will also need to engage with current practices in heritage and public history as well as demonstrating your understanding of the various audiences, media, platforms and interpretation used to explore, debate and present the past.

The project work you complete will be accompanied by detailed rationale and critical commentary that provide both the broader context of your work and reflection on it. You will be expected to relate your own project to comparable work elsewhere and to relevant research, professional publication and academic literature.

2. Outline syllabus

This is an independent study module, supported by a series of workshops and one-to-one tutorials, in which you will develop, plan, manage and execute your project

You will work with your tutor at the planning stage to determine the exact form, schedule and output of your project.

Examples of what you might produce include but are by no means limited to:

1. A detailed treatment for a website, a series of radio broadcasts or documentary, a performance piece or a novel
2. A resource pack or set of materials for teachers in one or more local schools
3. The creation of detailed exhibition proposals and potential treatments, trails or related events with and for a partnership organisation
4. Detailed proposals for a community engagement event, using history as a focal point for public participation.

3. Teaching and learning activities

Planning workshops, one-to-one mentoring and tutorials.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Project rationale (2000 words)
• % Weighting: 15%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Critical commentary and evaluation (2000 words)
• % Weighting: 15%

Assessment Item 3:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Public History Project (equivalent to 12000 words, in any appropriate media)
• % Weighting: 70%