Public History

Module title	Public History
Module code	HIC1603
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Alyson Mercer (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	60

Module description

Public History is an optional module on the level one History programme, which will introduce you to the theory and practice of public history. You will analyse the power, politics and practicalities of (re)presenting history in the public sphere. You will gain insight into public responses to the past and the importance of understanding diversity and inclusivity in current approaches. From heritage sites and museums, to film, fiction and virtual reality; the course explores key concepts and contextualises them within national and international debates. You will have the opportunity to analyse museum exhibits, conduct practice oral history interviews, critically analyse concepts relating to protest and social activism in cultural heritage settings, and examine why it matters to challenge accepted narratives (as well as those under threat) in the current political landscape.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to give you a core theoretical understanding of the key issues and debates in Public History. You will have the opportunity to put theory into practice through in-class discussions and assignments , which will help you to critically review and engage with current debates in the field. It also aims to give you competency in several transferable skills, including experience in undertaking basic oral history interviews, understanding different viewpoints through structured debate, and in critical analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Understand the main concepts and debates within public history.
2. Demonstrate competency in public history research methods.
3. Understand and 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 research skills in using libraries and electronic databases.
5. Critically evaluate the political uses of the past and historical teaching.
6. Contextualise changing perspectives and approaches to public history over time.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

7. Work collaboratively on group exercises both in the classroom and on field trips.
8. Work independently on the optional placement and module assessments.
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:

Public history: origins, concepts and debates
Producing and consuming history in museums and cultural heritage sites
Ethics: key challenges and controversies
Oral history and interview methods
The role of museums in social activism and protest
Challenging narratives of the past

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	120	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	7	Field Trip
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	3	Placement talks and discussion (optional)
Guided Independent Study	120	Independent study

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group presentation plan	500-word equivalent	1-6, 7-9	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Project Portfolio	75	2,500 words	1-6, 8	Written
Pre-recorded group presentation	25	5 mins per speaker (500 words equivalent)	1-6, 7, 9	Written

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Project portfolio (2,500 words)	Project portfolio (2,500 words) (75%)	1-6, 8	Referral/Deferral Period
Pre-recorded presentation (5 minute presentation)	Pre-recorded project presentation (5 minutes/ 500 words per person) (25%)	1-6, 7, 9	Referral/Deferral Period

Re-assessment notes

Please note: the individual presentation will need to take place during Term Time either in person or on Teams.

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.

Groot, J. de. (2009) Consuming History. Historians and heritage in contemporary popular culture. London: Routledge.

Harrison, R. (ed.) (2010) Understanding the politics of heritage. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Jordanova, L. (2019) History in Practice. 3^rd ed. London: Bloomsbury.

Knell, S.J., S. MacLeod and S. Watson (eds.) (2007) Museum Revolutions. How museums change and are changed. London: Routledge.

Macdonald, S. (ed.) (2006) A Companion to Museum Studies. Blackwell.

Marstine, J. (ed.) (2011) The Routledge Companion to Museum Ethics. London: Routledge.

Murphy, B.L. (ed.) (2016) Museums, Ethics and Cultural Heritage. London: Routledge.

Perks, R. and A. Thomson (2006) The Oral History Reader, 2nd ed. London: Routledge.

Smulyan, S. (Ed.). (2020). Doing Public Humanities (1st ed.). Routledge.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

· ELE –

Key words search

public history, museums, oral history, heritage, memory, activism, uses of the past, challenging narratives

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	29/01/2023
Last revision date	17/04/2025