50166 Public History

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Social Inquiry
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to the nature and practice of professional history in the public sphere. Examples include historical research for heritage agencies; commissioned organisational and institutional histories; museums and library exhibitions; historical research for film, radio and television; and local, community and oral histories. Aspects of the politics of cultural industries is also explored, as are the ways in which public histories are communicated to a variety of audiences. This subject involves a series of research and communication skills workshops and a major project which aims to develop professional historical research and communication skills.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students are expected to be able to:

demonstrate understandings of the nature and practice of professional history in the public sphere
undertake basic historical research
communicate the results of historical research.

Teaching and learning strategies

A variety of teaching-learning strategies will be utilised in this subject including introductory lectures and tutorials; skill-based workshops; self-directed learning; on-line discussions; and individual project supervision. Where appropriate, students may wish to undertake a project through the UTS Shopfront or through the Centre for Public History.

Content

This subject explores key themes and critical issues in the field of public history while introducing students to a broad range of public history industries and practices.

An Overview introduction
Methods, media and audience
Oral history
Image, multimedia and history
Monuments, Memorials and Memory
Exhibiting history
Concepts of Heritage

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Project outline

Objectives	a
Value	30%
Due	Week 5
Task	Produce an outline of between 1000-1500 words for the major project.
Assessment criteria	Demonstrates evidence of original thought and reflection; appropriate approach; satisfactory bibliography; clear and comprehensible presentation.

Assessment item 2: Tutorial project presentation

Objectives	a
Value	20%
Due	Weeks 12-14
Task	Present an overview of your project: method, question, argument, form.
Assessment criteria	Demonstrates evidence of original thought and reflection; appropriate approach; clear and comprehensible presentation.

Assessment item 3: Major project

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	50%
Due	Week 13
Task	Produce a major public history project in an area covered by the subject in a mode appropriate to public history.
Assessment criteria	Clear focus; appropriate depth and breadth of research; analysis (ideas, insights, originality where appropriate); sound structure; proper referencing and acknowledgements where appropriate; stylistically consistent.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Indicative references

There are no set texts.

Jo Blatti (ed), Past Meets Present: Essays about Historic Interpretation and Public Audiences, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1987.

Kate Darian-Smith and Paula Hamilton (eds), History and Memory in Twentieth-Century Australia, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1994.

Graeme Davison and Chris McConville (ed), A Heritage Handbook, Allen and Unwin, Sydney,1991.

John Hartley, The Politics of Pictures: The Creation of the Public in the Age of Popular Media, Routledge, London, 1992.

Mary Hufford (ed), Conserving Culture: A New Discourse on Heritage, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, 1994.

Warren Leon and Roy Rosenzweig (eds), History Museums in the United States: A Critical Assessment, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, 1989.

David Lowenthal, The Past is a Foreign Country, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990.

Michael Pearson and Sharon Sullivan, Looking After Heritage Places: The Basics of Heritage Planning for Manager, Landowners and Administrators, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1995.

John Richard and Peter Spearritt (eds), Packaging the Past? Public Histories,

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1991, special issue of Australian Historical Studies, vol 24, no 96.

Raphael Samuel, Theatres of Memory, Verso, London, 1994.

Thomas J. Schlereth, Cultural History and Material Culture: Everyday Life, Landscapes, Museums, University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1992.

Liz Wells, Photography: A Critical Introduction, Routledge, London, 1996.

Journals

Museums Australia Journal

Public History Review

The Public Historian