Module manager: Dr Adam Cathcart
Email: A.Cathcart@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
Today’s historians are as likely to be involved in debates on the toppling of statues as they are working in an archive. From twitter storms to media controversies, from podcasts to museums, the module helps you think critically about the history that surrounds us. We think about how the political present shapes the terms of academic debate – not only in Britain but around the world – and the impact that historians can have in contributing to public understanding of the past. You will also learn how to communicate your own research to different audiences and through different kinds of media. We explore the ethical implications of public history and the ways in which historians can learn from, as well as inform, the people and communities with which you work.
This module aims to help you understand how history is communicated, consumed, and contested in the contemporary world. Two-hour weekly seminars will allow you to debate and interrogate key issues relating to way that academic historians engage with broad public understandings and perspectives on the past.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess the main audiences for history outside of academia.
2. Reflect critically and sensitively on the ethical responsibilities of historians doing public history
3. Apply public history techniques to the study of a chosen aspect of the past
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Employ effective strategies for communicating with non-academic audience.
5. Apply the technical skills to write and present a podcast.
6. Work collaboratively to produce a coherent presentation on a methodological aspect of public history.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Practical | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Seminar | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Private study hours | 279.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
You will receive written feedback on a plan for your presentation. Written feedback on the presentation will help you plan for podcast, as will a two-hour podcast training workshop.
You will also have the opportunity to meet with your tutor for one-to-one meetings to get feedback on your approach to each assignment prior to the deadlines.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group presentation | 50 |
| Coursework | Podcast | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team