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Public History I

Module description

Public History is a core element of level one history. The module will introduce you to the theory and practice of public history. We will analyse the power, politics and practicalities of (re)presenting history in the public sphere. From heritage sites and museums, to film, fiction and virtual reality; the course explores key concepts and contextualise them within national and international debates. The first semester will focus primarily on museums and heritage sites, and the second semester will broaden the discussion to other forms of public history. You will have the opportunity to analysis museum exhibits, conduct oral history interviews, explore digital public history, and go on placement within a public history setting.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to provide you with a core theoretical understanding of the key issues in Public History. You will have the opportunity to put theory into practice in the assignments and placement, which will help you to critically review and engage with current debates in the field. You will acquire competency in a number of transferable skills, including experience in basic oral history interview methodology and writing for the public. The module includes work experience that will enable you to put your skills into practice in the public sphere and reflect critically upon the interrelations between theory and practice in public history.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Understand main concepts and debates within public history
• 2. Demonstrate competency in oral history methods and writing for the public
• 3. Reflect critically upon the relationship between theory and practice

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate competent use of archives, libraries and electronic databases to find information
• 5. Critically evaluate the use of historical evidence
• 6. Contextualise changing perspectives and approaches over time

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Work collaboratively on group exercises
• 8. Work independently on oral history interview and public history placement
• 9. Develop oral presentation skills

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

Term One:

• Public history origins, development, concepts and debates.
• Analysing exhibits, producing and consuming public history. Visit.
• Ethics and controversy
• Oral history, public and private pasts, and interview methods

Term Two:

• Heritage designation and funding; Engaging with and representing communities
• Public history in film, fiction, digital media, and archives. Visit.
• Working with the public, placements and projects 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

The essay will be used as 100% of the reassessment.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Ashton, P. and H. Kean, (eds.) (2009) People and their Pasts. New York: Palgrave. 
• Corsane, G. (ed.) (2005) Heritage, Museums and Galleries. An Introductory Reader.  New York: Routledge. 
• Dicks, B. (2003) Culture on Display. The Production of Contemporary Visitability. Maidenhead: Open University Press. 
• Groot, J. de. (2009) Consuming History. Historians and heritage in contemporary popular culture. London: Routledge. 
• Hamilton, P. and L. Shopes, (eds.) (2008) Oral History and Public Memories. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 
• Harrison, R. (ed.) (2010) Understanding the politics of heritage. Manchester: Manchester University Press. 
• Karp, I. and S. D. Lavine (1991) E xhibiting cultures: the poetics and politics of museum display. London: Smithsonian Books 
• Knell, S.J., S. MacLeod and S. Watson (eds.) (2007) Museum Revolutions. How museums change and are changed. London: Routledge. 
• Lord B. and G. Dexter Lord (eds.) (2001) The Manual of Museum Exhibitions. Oxford: AltaMira Press. 
• Macdonald, S. (ed.) (2006) A Companion to Museum Studies. Blackwell. 
• Marstine, J. (ed.) (2011) The Routledge Companion to Museum Ethics. London: Routledge. 
• Perks, R. and A. Thomson (2006) The Oral History Reader, 2nd ed. London: Routledge. 
• Ravelli, L., (2006) Museum Texts: Communication Frameworks. Oxon: Routledge. 
• Serrell, B. (1996) Labels: An Interpretive Approach. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press. 
• Watson, S. (ed.) (2007) Museums and their communities. London: Routledge. 
• Yow, V. (2005) Recording Oral History: A Guide for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 2nd ed. Altamira Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1104

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Courtney Library
• Bartlett Library
• Cornwall Record Office
• Tremough Archive

Key words search

History, heritage, museums