Course Structure
Autumn Semester | MHY7020 - Becoming a Historian
Course Content The module will examine the purpose of historical research and writing, the main genres of historical writing, techniques of bibliographical research, footnoting, the handling of quantitative and non-quantitative evidence, and practical writing skills. An ancient history strand will include study of specialised methodologies relating to ancient writers and epigraphy.
MHY7092 - History and its Audiences
An in-depth examination of key concepts of public history and their methodological application across a range of case studies. The module will cover a range of issues regarding the ways in which the past is presented to, and consumed by, public audiences. Students will be asked to engage theoretically with core historiographical themes including collective memory, oral history, materiality and visual cultures and will also work with Special Collections to explore issues relating to the use of textual and visual material for public consumption (IPR, copyright etc). These sessions will be accompanied by case studies drawn from the locale and beyond that will enable students to develop their understanding in relation to practical examples. The module will thus provide students with a strong historiographical grounding in both theories and concepts of public history whilst at the same time allow for an understanding of these issues in relation to ‘real life’ scenarios that will prepare them for the remainder of their studies.
Plus a further optional module from those offered across the AHSS Faculty OR an individually-negotiated topic |
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Spring Semester | MHY7091 - Public History Internship (double weighted - 40 credits) Students will hold an internship in an institution such a museum, heritage site, library or archive. They will organise the placement themselves and establish a programme of work to be carried out, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the School’s internship co-ordinator. The assessment will reflect on the practical aspects of the internship and the theoretical debates around Public History.
MHY7089 - Case Studies in History
Through a variety of primary sources, students will investigate at least three specialist topics in depth. The mini-modules with focus on research strands available on the MA History programme: American history, Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern History, British history, Public History and Religion, Conflict and Identity. When available, students will also take part in a one-day field trip.
MHY7010 - Dissertation
A dissertation (not exceeding 20,000 words) on a topic to be agreed in advance with the subject adviser. |
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The Public History strand consists of six taught modules and a dissertation. | CORE MODULES
MHY7092 - History and its Audiences – Semester 1
MHY7091 – Public History Internship (Pub) – Semester 2 (double weighted)
MHY7089 – Case Studies in History – Semester 2
MHY7020 – Becoming an Historian – Semester 1
MHY7010 – Dissertation – (triple weighted)
Autumn
Students are required to take TWO CORE modules: MHY7020 and MHY7092 and ONE further optional module from below:
MHY7011 OR A further optional module from those offered across the AHSS Faculty, please consult your Programme Convenor for further details.
Spring
Students are required to take TWO CORE modules MHY7091 (Double-weighted 40 credit module) and MHY7089.
Full-year:-
Students are required to take MHY7010 (Full-year dissertation module).
Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students’ choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints. |
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People teaching you
DoctorSHAPP
Email: o.purdue@qub.ac.uk
Dr Purdue's research interests have focused on the social history of nineteenth and twentieth-century Ireland, especially issues of poverty, welfare and public health. She is author of The big house in the north of Ireland: land, power and social elites and editor of Belfast: the emerging city 1850-1914. She has a strong interest in the practice and experience of Public History, is international editor of The Public Historian, and is currently engaged in a project on community, heritage, and well-being in the city.
Teaching Times
Career Prospects
Introduction
The Public History MA can be regarded either as an end in itself, culminating in the distinction of having obtained a postgraduate degree and enhanced your employability skills as a researcher, or as a stepping stone to the higher research degree of PhD. Many graduates have gone on to PhD programmes both at Queen’s and other world-leading Universities. Others go into a wide variety of employment including careers in museums, archives or libraries; journalism or media related work; teaching; private and public administration; economic development and the voluntary sector.
The MA in Public History provides you with the essential skills and in-depth knowledge of history and its public audiences for career development at any stage – from students straight from an undergraduate degree with limited to no priori professional experience to those seeking continued professional development. The programme enables you to broaden your horizons, providing you with a competitive edge in a global graduate market in a wide variety of areas, such as museums, archives, heritage, culture and tourism, or media.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Learning and Teaching
Learning and Teaching
Knowledge and Understanding
Critically evaluate the communication of historical knowledge and understanding by bodies outside the academy. Understand how the content and communication of knowledge can be adapted to meet the needs of a range of audiences. Understand the challenges presented in conveying contested historical narratives to public audiences.
Learning Outcomes
Recognise and use appropriate theories, concepts and principles from history and relevant cognate disciplines. Understand and communicate complex ideas and concepts to both academic and public audiences. Critically evaluate the theory and practice of history in academic and public spheres.
Learning and Teaching
Learning and teaching takes place through seminars, practitioner workshops, field trips and placements.
Subject Specific Skills
Demonstrate an ability to use effectively relevant archives, finding aids and online resources in completing a major personal research project. Undertake a public history project in the workplace both individually and as part of a team and to reflect critically on their practice. Handle, catalogue, describe and organise historical sources and artefacts. Develop skills relating to the assessment and analysis of sources.
Transferable Skills
Communicate complex ideas effectively to a range of audiences.
Manage time and resources and work effectively as part a team. Demonstrate an ability to conceptualise, plan and see through to completion a major personal research project to a high standard of historical professionalism. Demonstrate competency and a professional approach to undertaking research and the presentation of project work
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
Assessment is by coursework:
• essays
• projects
• critical commentaries on primary sources;
• portfolio and reflective essay
• blogs and placement related assessment
• power point presentations
• practical work on documents or placement related assessment
• and a dissertation