Making histories
Bain Attwood and others
8 points * 2 lectures per week for the first seven weeks of the semester and one 2-hour seminar per week throughout the semester * First semester * Clayton * Prohibitions: HSY3010, HSY3020
Is history useful and, if so, what for? How do historians and others shape their accounts of the past? What are the basic steps involved in conducting a piece of historical research? This subject approaches the `making of histories' in three stages. Stage one, `using histories,' looks at how history is used (or abused); for example by the heritage industry, private individuals, politicians and activists. Stage two, `shaping histories,' examines ways in which historical narratives are shaped by values, themes, literary conventions and social theories. And stage three, `writing histories,' focuses directly on the processes of historical representation, in part through the writing of narratives, but also through less conventional forms of expression such as film, radio and museum display. As well as `deconstructing' what others, including former history honours graduates, have written, students doing HSY4010 will be encouraged to reflect critically upon the historical practice evident in their own writing.
Assessment
Written (6000 words): 60% * Examination (2 hours): 30% * Class participation: 10%