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Contested Pasts: History in the Public Sphere

Module description

It is no longer possible, as it may have been in the past, for the academic to remain locked within any kind of ivory tower. On the one hand, there is a rapidly growing appetite for history among the general public. On the other, the government increasingly demands that academics demonstrate the broader ‘impact’ of their research. But the presentation of history publicly does not come without its challenges. This module will examine the nature of public history and the wide variety of ways that it is presented and created, from heritage sites and exhibitions to digital sources, film and fiction. We will explore the politics and practicalities of representing history in these spheres.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module examines the nature of public history, examining what it consists of and why it matters. It covers the wide variety of ways that public history is presented, including in museums, heritage sites, exhibitions, film, fiction and the recent rapid growth in digital sources. It also explores the politics and practicalities of representing history in these spheres, and how history is often contested in the public sphere. In doing so, the module provides a mix of theoretical and practical experiences, ranging from reading around the subjects and investigating particular case studies to practical, project-based work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Locate and evaluate critically the relevant primary and secondary source materials required to investigate a specific historical or methodological question within the scope of public history
• 2. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of key themes and approaches in the study of public history

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 3. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise widely different types of historical material and evidence
• 4. Identify and understand the nature of original sources
• 5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key historical concepts and debates
• 6. Research independently and present independent accounts and interpretations of different historical issues

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. Develop the capacity for independent critical study and thought
• 8. Apply key bibliographical skills (including the use of on-line finding aids)
• 9. Construct and defend a sustained argument, both in written form and orally, using primary and secondary materials
• 10. Work as an individual and with a tutor and peers in an independent, constructive and responsive way (e.g. lead a group discussion or task)

Syllabus plan

The exact syllabus may vary year to year but the module will examine topics such as:

• Public History: Theory and Practice (and relevance for academia – Impact)
• Museums
• History and Public Policy
• Living History
• Art and Public History
• Genealogy
• Sites of Memory
• History and Fiction

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 re-assessment consists of one 3,000 word essay and the Wiki project, as in the original assessment, but replaces the individual presentation with a written script and accompanying visual aids that could be delivered in such a presentation and which is the equivalent of 20 minutes of speech.

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 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Arnold, J. et al. (eds.), History and Heritage (1998)
• Ashton, P. and H. Kean (eds.), People and their Pasts (2009)
• Black, J., Contesting History: Narratives of Public History (2014)
• Corsane, G. (ed.), Heritage, Museums and Galleries. An Introductory Reader (2005)
• Dicks, B., Culture on Display. The Production of Contemporary Visitability (2003)
• Finn, M. and K. Smith, New Paths to Public History (2015)
• Groot, J. de., Consuming History. Historians and heritage in contemporary popular culture (2009)
• Harrison, R. (ed.), Understanding the politics of heritage (2010)
• Karp, I. and S. D. Lavine, Exhibiting cultures (1991)
• Knell, S.J., S. MacLeod and S. Watson (eds.), Museum Revolutions (2007)
• Marstine, J. (ed.), The Routledge Companion to Museum Ethics (2011)
• Sayer, F., Public History: A Practical Guide (2015)
• Walkowitz, D. et al. (eds.), Contested Histories in Public Space (2009)        
• Watson, S. (ed.), Museums and their communities (2007)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11610 

Key words search

Public history, museums, heritage, digital humanities