HST6042 Presenting the Past: Making History Public 2023-24

15 credits, Semester one
Module leader 2023-24: Kate Davison

Module summary

The primary focus of this module is the interpretation and creation of 'public history'. The module will enable students to reflect on the issues involved in disseminating history outside academia and develop communication and presentation skills for audiences outside higher education. Students will be required to (1) analyse examples of public history and (2) create an example of public history. The module may be of particular interest to students planning to pursue careers in heritage, museums or education. Seminars will include discussion of: issues in public history; displaying objects and presenting interiors; the role of public history in post-conflict societies; writing for the 'public'; sound and vision; digital history.

Examples of previous projects:

Medieval Sheffield (Video documentary)
Forged in Time: Women of Modern Sheffield (Virtual exhibition)
The History of Sheffield's Music Scene: A fan's perspective (Video documentary)
Circa Conversations (Blog and podcast)
Wentworth Woodhouse: Britain's Forgotten Palace (Video documentary)
Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and Slavery at Monticello (Virtual exhibition)
"We are Women, We are Strong" (Video documentary)
The Old Lighthouse Podcast (Podcast)
The King's Own Royal Light Infantry in the Second World War Exhibition (Virtual exhibition)
The Battle of Orgreave (Video documentary)
Circus in the City: 250 year of Circus in Sheffield (Video documentary)
Final Remembrance Podcast (Podcast)
Western Road's War Memorial Trees (Video documentary)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the uses of history in non-academic environments
Demonstrate the ability to reflect on their own uses of historical knowledge and skills for a non-academic audience
Demonstrate the ability to convey historical research in effective ways to a non-academic audience
Demonstrate enhanced practical skills in the use and presentation of historical evidence

Assessment methods

Assessment type - % of final mark

1,000 word reflective essay - 50%
2,000 word (or equivalent) group project - 50%

You will complete one assessment with two components.

Part I - 2000 words (or equivalent if not written) group project which will take the form of an example of public history, to be agreed with the module convenor. Possible formats include: a webpage, a design for an exhibition, an historic house booklet, a script for a radio programme, a proposal for a TV series.

Part II - a 1000 word reflective essay providing the rationale for Part I, reflecting on the role of historical knowledge in non-academic environments, and situating Part I in the context of critical writing on public history.

Please refer to the specific Presenting the Past Group Project marking criteria and also the Reflective Essay marking criteria.

Additional learning and teaching information

Teaching and indicative seminar plan:

The module will be taught in five, two-hour classes plus additional skills masterclasses. You will also have individual tutorial contact with the module tutor in order to discuss your assessment for this module.

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