HIST 7005 - Writing History

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This course provides students the opportunity to explore how we produce narratives about the past. It asks both how academic historians have theorised the production of narratives of events from the disparate source materials we use, and offers a discussion of the variety of genres available to historians. The latter includes autobiography and biography, historical fiction, family histories, art, novels, film and television. During the course, students will not only explore how we create history for a variety of types of audience, but will have the opportunity to produce different types of historical writing/ creative productions themselves. The course is particularly useful for students who wish to develop their historical writing/creative practice, and to use their research skills to create narratives of the past.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HIST 7005
    Course Writing History
    Coordinating Unit Historical and Classical Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Research essay, Creative Project, Self Reflection on Creative Project
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Katie Barclay

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1 Demonstrate a high-level understanding of the issues involved in producing a variety of genres of historical writing
    2 Use primary and secondary data to construct historical narratives
    3 Communicate historical information effectively in a range of formats and to diverse audiences
    4 Understand the ethical issues involved in the production of historical writing
    5 Reflect critically on their historical practice.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 2, 3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4, 5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Resources will be available through the Barr Smith Library and online.
    Online Learning
    Online activities will be completed on MyUni before class.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course combines online activities with a seminar and significant independent research.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Structured learning
    Online activities: 2 hours per week
    Seminar: 2 hours per week
    Self-directed learning
    Reading: 10 hours per week
    Research: 10 hours per week
    Assignment preparation: 2 hours per week

    Total: 264 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    This list of topics is suggestive only and may change from year to year.
    Week Topic
    1 Introduction
    2 What is historical writing
    3 Academic writing
    4 Science communication
    5 Historical novel
    6 Biography
    7 Family history
    8 Re-enactments
    9 Film and television
    10 Radio and podcasts
    11 Games
    12 Round up
    Specific Course Requirements
    none
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Research essay 2000 words
    Creative project 3000 words
    Self reflection 1000 words
    Assessment Detail


    Assessment Task Description     Weighting %
    Research essay This 2,000 word essay allows students to explore the theoretical and methodological issues around writing history. 30
    Creative project This 3,000 word equivalent assignment allows students to explore producing writing in a historical genre, other than the traditional research essay, so applying their theoretical knowledge. 50
    Self-reflection The self reflection (1000 words) provides students the opportunity to reflect on the creative project, to explain their artistic decisions, and to be self-reflective aout their professional practice. 20
    Submission
    Assessments are submitted through Turnitin on MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.