MA programme in Public History

The History  Department at Royal Holloway recognises that the current economic climate means postgraduates will need to gain an edge in the job market to get on. We intend, then, to launch a new MA programme in Public History from September 2009.

If you'd like to pursue a career in history working in broadcasting or in film, in museums or in journalism, or are interested in a career in history beyond the classroom, a job that  presents the past to the public at large,  the proposed MA in Public History will equip you with the professional skills of historical interpretation and communication to achieve this. It will also offer an opportunity to work alongside practitioners in the field from museum curators, public archivists, publishers and TV and radio producers.  This is a unique gateway to the heritage sector and to the popular media, a new MA for historians keen to engage in the modern world.

Please find below a provisional description of what will comprise the MA in Public History. We intend to have partnerships with the BBC, The National Trust, The Royal Collection and a variety of national and local museums and archives like the Imperial War Museum, The National Archive, The British Library and Surrey History Centre.

Course structure and content

I unit History Research Methods and Issues (taken from the current successful History MA Programme). Half Unit The Public Communication and Understanding of History. An introduction to writing for popular media (journalism, TV and radio). Half Unit Oral History and Public Engagement.  This would be developed in partnership with current expertise on campus and external partners. 1 Unit Doing Public History in the contemporary world. This course unit would engage with the nature of public history in the contemporary world.  This would explicitly address the theme in a global context addressing public history concerns in Europe, North America, China, India, Pakistan, the Middle East,  and Australasia.  Key themes might be the contested debates over the public history of empire, the Holocaust and slavery interwoven with the concepts of memory, identity, publics, heritage, citizenship, history and policy, and entertainment.  The course would explore a variety of forms from popular history books to films, exhibitions, and national and local memorials. 1 Unit Public History Project Dissertation. This will conform to the current MA dissertation requirements with some amendment to reflect a variety of forms rather than a simple written dissertation. This will give opportunity to either research a specific issue, or engage with a specific partner institution to produce an exhibition, piece of oral history, radio programme etc.

The programme will enable students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following: extensive knowledge and understanding of the core issues in the public understanding of the past; knowledge necessary to apply this understanding to practical real life contexts in museums, the creative industries and public media; knowledge of a number of specialised areas in history; extensive knowledge and critical understanding of recent and current developments in the field of public history, and of the issues and controversies associated with these developments; a sound basic understanding of historical methodology; familiarity with a broad selection of the principal controversies in contemporary public history; a sound working knowledge of the skills, techniques and concepts used to pursue the public understanding of the past; practical experience of working with a partner institution in a relevant field of public history.