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HIST556 Public History

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions HIST456
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Janis Wilton (jwilton@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit invites reflection on the ways in which the past is present in a variety of forms and places in contemporary societies including, for example, commemorations, films, heritage sites, historical fiction, memorials, museums, re-enactments, tours. It introduces public history debates and methods; draws on comparative examples; encourages engagement with specific public history projects; and explores activities for the classroom. It also provides foundations for further studies in public history research and practice, and for the development of career paths in public history.
Materials Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment Assessment information will be published prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. appreciate and evaluate the variety of ways in which the past is present in contemporary societies;
  2. understand and evaluate current public history debates and methodologies;
  3. research and analyse in detail a selection of specific public history practices and issues;
  4. apply their understanding of public history to practical issues and specific issues in the public domain; and
  5. appreciate the variety of ways in which public historians gain employment, their ethical and social responsibilities, and the political and cultural contexts within which they work.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of history at the postgraduate level is essential as this unit is taught on an off-campus basis online and by using the unit guide, which provides essential material for successful completion of the unit. It will be assessed through written essays. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the essays for the unit. Students will learn valuable communication skills through participation in online discussions (this will include debates and small group work). Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practise their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks. 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students are required to locate developments in public history within the debates and practices evident from around the world. In doing this they will become familiar with key and worldwide issues and debates relating to ownership, ethics, consultation and audience. 		True
4 Information Literacy
Students are required to develop research skills in collecting and evaluating data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources of information and critically examine those sources. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifel-ong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessment tasks. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions to both research and presentation. They will be required to collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay and discussions in online postings. 		True True True
8 Team Work
Students will practise working collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems on the online, taking initiative and leading others in this environment. They will also negotiate and assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others on the discussion board and in their own essays. 		True
   

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