The University of New South Wales

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Undergraduate Handbook

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Making Histories and Historians: Ethics, Scholarship and Public Roles - ARTS3002
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 48 units of credit
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Introduces students to the social role, impact and responsibilities of historians. Seminars deal in a practical way with professional ethics; scholarly standards concerning bias, interpretation and plagiarism; the impact on these standards of new ideas of postmodernism; new methods and evidence in history and the ethical dilemmas these methods and procedures may raise; the use and abuse of history in public discourse and in education.

Note: Offered jointly by the School of History and the School of History and Philosophy of Science.


Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this course should leave students with an enhanced understanding of the discipline of history, including its ethical underpinnings, and its central place in a civil society and a democratic culture. Moreover, they should understand the requirements for successful study in the School of History, the School of History and Philosophy of Science and other schools of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, and gain confidence to continue their studies in the broad discipline of history. Students should be able to:
  • Understand the social role, impact and responsibilities of historians
  • Understand the role of evidence in historical debate
  • Understand that the past can be examined not only through books and documents, but through a wide range of forms such as architecture, photographs, television, art, memories, museum displays, etc.
  • Understand the role of historical interpretations
  • Understand the concept of historiography and how it informs historical narrative and debate
  • Gain an introduction to the role of theory in historical explanation.

Assessment

  • Assessment task 1 (1500 words) - 20%
  • Assessment task 2 (3000 words) - 40%
  • Assessment task 3 (1000 words) - 15%
  • Class participation - 25%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.