131-227 History in the Field

Formerly available as 131-115. Students who have completed 131-115 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 12.5 points of first year history.

The objective of this course is to introduce students, through a placement in a public or private sector work environment, to the practices of the conservation, communication and public heritage concerns of history in the field. On completion of the subject students should have an understanding of ethical standards applying to the practice of history in the field; collaborative approaches in the practice of history in the field; working to the demands of a client; interpreting history for different audiences, through a selection of research and presentation media (eg. multimedia, print publishing, exhibition display); the wide variety of sources for historical practice, including documentary and text-based archives as well as material culture, landscapes, illustrative sources and new media; and the range of vocational possibilities and working environments beyond the university sector.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.

A 2000 word classpaper 25% (due during the semester), a 4000 word research project 50% (due at the end of semester based on the placement) and a 2000 word reflective paper 25% (due at the end of semester).