MA Public History

Summary

Conceived by the late Raphael Samuel, this pioneering course – the first in Britain – has run successfully at the college since 1996. The MA considers the way in which the past is used in the present by people, states and institutions.

While including the role of heritage, museums, material culture and the built environment in creating particular histories it also emphasises people’s own engagement with the past through orality, memory and family and local history. All modules emphasise the contested nature of historical knowledge, the relationship between the past and the present and t he role of the historian in creating history.

The course is run on a part time and full time basis. Teaching takes place on a Wednesday late afternoon and early evening on a weekly basis in the first year and three times a term during the second year for part time students. Full time students attend these classes and have additional tutorials on writing their dissertation.

Please also see the public history dicussion group dates here