Module Directory

This module is capped due to the limited number of external organisations available to participate. Selection will take place by a simple 3-question application form. Students are asked why they want to take part, what skills and experience they already have, and what they’d like to get out of participation.

In this work-based learning module, students willl work as part of a small team to deliver a real public history project that's been commissioned by an external body, for example, a community group, local history society, charity, museum, archive or company.

Outputs could include a small exhibition, website, podcast or pamphlet. You'll be able to bid to a dedicated funding pot to produce any materials you need (much like organisations themselves do to support project work) and receive academic credit for it. You'll be supported throughout by staff and have access to representatives of the commissioning organisation.

The aims of this module are:

• To support students in developing a range of skills needed to conduct and communicate public history research.


• To give students insights into project planning, funding and delivery in the heritage and cultural sector.


• To give students experience of working to a brief from, and managing the relationship with, an external group or organisation.


• To develop students’ ability to reflect critically on their experience and formulate individual goals for future learning.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills appropriate to the group brief in conducting and communicating their research.


2. Show awareness of how public history projects are designed and funded.


3. Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to respond in a professional way to a brief set by an external group or organisation.


4. Students will be able to reflect critically on their own experience of participating in the project and identify specific goals for their personal development.

History matters. It's at the heart of how we make sense of our own lives and our connectedness to the experiences, beliefs and actions of humanity, past, present and future.

One important way we can make our historical training count is through public history, projects that have meaning and value for communities and organisations beyond the university.

Syllabus

• Introduction to module, distribution of project briefs and initial discussions within groups.


• Workshop on getting started, gathering evidence, thinking about audiences.


• Presentation of initial plans for formative feedback.


• Feedback on initial plans through group tutorials, group skills audit exercise.


• Workshop on research and project planning, group meeting time.


• Progress report and group meeting time.


• Workshop on designing and launching the final output, funding bid presentations.


• Group tutorials on final output.


• Progress report and trouble-shooting.


• Launch of final outputs with invited representatives of the commissioning groups/organisations.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour workshop per week.