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15 credits, Semester one
Module leaders 2024-25: James Chetwood
Module summary
Module summary
Wikipedia is today probably the world’s chief source of historical knowledge. Every day, its pages on history are read by many thousands of people. Yet professional historians tend to avoid engaging with it. This course seeks to change that. As well as discussing critical perspectives on Wikipedia, you’ll receive practical training in creating or editing a page on a historical topic you’ve chosen. You’ll then apply your studies in a hands-on way to improving the encyclopedia’s historical coverage, and reflect on the kind of historical knowledge of the period it promotes and disseminates.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, you will be able to:
Demonstrate a practical ability to edit Wikipedia pages
Explain Wikipedia's implications for academic and public knowledge of the past
Reflect on their experience in the light of the wider academic literature
Assessment methods
Assessment methods
Assessment type - % of final mark
2500 word reflective essay - 100%
You will complete a 2500 word reflective essay, in which you’ll reflect on your experience editing Wikipedia on a historical topic of your choice, in the light of the wider academic literature on Wikipedia and historical knowledge.
Additional learning and teaching information
Additional learning and teaching information
Teaching and indicative seminar plan:
The module will be taught in five, two-hour classes. You will also have individual tutorial contact with the module tutor in order to discuss your assessment for this module.
Indicative seminar plan:
Why edit Wikipedia
How to edit Wikipedia
Wikipedia and the Digital Turn
The impact of Wikipedia
Reflections on Wikipedia and Medieval History
Selected reading:
R. Bianchi, ‘History on Wikipedia: A Non-neutral World’. In: Public History Weekly 10 (2022) 1
L. Phillips and D. McDevitt-Parks, ‘Historians in Wikipedia: building an open, collaborative history’, American Historical Assocation Perspectives on History, 2012
M. Phillips, ‘Wikipedia and History: a worthwhile partnership in the digital era?’, Rethinking History 4 (2016), 1-21
C. West, ‘Wikipedia in the History Classroom’, Wikimedia UK Blog, May 2018
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