ATS3566 - Researching the past: (Re)discovering the voiceless - 2017

This unit focuses on local and community history, and investigates concepts of community, the relationship between people and place and the connection between past and present. Students will study methods of historical research including oral history, photographic interpretation and material culture. Through the assignments that include designing an exhibition panel and undertaking a community history research project, students will acquire the skills of writing for a community audience.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the history of the landscape, people and institutions around them;
2. reflect on different scholarly approaches to researching and presenting community history;
3. demonstrate a critical understanding of the reasons why communities write their histories;
4. demonstrate insights into the roles of historians;
5. formulate a viable research question on community history, and identify a central focus for research;
6. develop a structured project with a logical introduction and conclusion, and provide correct scholarly references;
7. demonstrate the ability to formulate a research project that is based largely on documentary materials;
8. critically engage with primary and secondary sources, to recognise scholarly debates and position their argument in relation to these approaches.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Jillian Adams

One of ATS1312, ATS1898, ATS1251 or permission

ATS2566, GSC2506, GSC3513, HPL2506, HPL3506