Bringing the Past to Life? History, Historians and Television
Level 1 (CQFW Level 4), 10 Credits.
Available Dates:
* Click on a date to find out more about the course.
(Friday 12th July 2013 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday 13th July 2013 9:30 am to 3.30 pm Sunday 14th July 2013 9:30 am to 5:30 pm )
- Code:
- HIS12A4750A - Enrol
- Duration:
- Weekend Summer School - 3 meetings over a single weekend
- Tutor(s):
- Dr Gethin Matthews
- Venue:
- Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning
Senghennydd Road
Cardiff
CF24 4AG
Tel: 029 2087 0000
Fax: 029 2066 8935 - Cost:
- £197.00 (Concessionary Fee £157.00)
Course Description
This summer school will explore the styles and techniques that the makers of historical documentaries employ to ‘reconstruct’ the past. Through a series of lively interactive case studies, it will analyse the tensions between academic and ‘popular’ history. Whereas historians seek to be objective and interpretative, carefully weighing up opposing viewpoints, television demands a straightforward narrative that entertains the viewers sufficiently that they do not switch over, or switch off. Yet history programmes are a staple of the television schedules, and can sometimes succeed in being both ratings-winners and educative. Over recent years, the changing fashions of programme-making have added to the range of styles available to make history documentaries, some of which can be problematic for academic historians, leading to criticisms that history on television is not ‘proper’ history. However, the historian can also use television history to gauge the different ways in which history has been used to advance certain points of view. The course will explore how, in both a Welsh and a British context, history programmes can act as manufacturers of identity.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in history and the enthusiasm to take that interest further. It operates as part of the Exploring the Past pathway, and will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills that will help you to study other courses in the pathway.
Learning and Teaching
The bulk of the teaching for this course will take place over a weekend school (three hours on a Friday evening, seven hours on Saturday and three hours on a Sunday morning). These sessions will include lectures, viewings of examples of TV history, class discussions and debates, and group exercises to develop your academic skills. In addition, there will be support both before and after the weekend school, facilitated by the university’s Virtual learning Environment, Blackboard, and by e-mail contact.
Coursework and Assessment
Students will be expected to provide two pieces of assessed work: a 500 word review (with time given over during the weekend to complete this and receive detailed feedback) and a 1000 word essay (which will be expected to be submitted within two weeks of the weekend course). Advice and support will be provided for both assignments.
Reading suggestions
- David Cannadine, ed., History and the Media (2004)
- Graham Roberts & Philip M Taylor (eds.) The Historian, Television and Television History (University of Luton Press, 2001)
- Colin Thomas, ‘When was Welsh History?: Professor Gwyn Alf Williams and Welsh History on television’ in Geraint H. Jenkins ed., Cymru a’r Cymru 2000 / Wales and the Welsh 2000 (2001) pp.141-55
- European Journal of Cultural Studies, February 2007 (vol. 10 no.1) – [Special edition on ‘History and Television’, available online via Cardiff University Library electronic journals]
- Tristram Hunt, ‘Reality, Identity and Empathy: The Changing Face of Social History Television’, Journal of Social History (2006) 39(3) pp.843-58.
- Simon Schama, ‘Television and the trouble with history’ (2002 lecture, BBC History Magazine, July & August 2002; edited transcript available via www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,739347,00.html )
Library and Computing Facilities
As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University library and computing facilities. You can find out more about these facilities on our website www.cf.ac.uk/learn under Student Information, or by ringing the Centre on (029) 2087 0000.
Accessibility of Courses
Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and Dyslexia screening. Please contact the Centre on (029) 2087 0000 for an information leaflet.
Further Information
A range of further information can be found on our web site www.cf.ac.uk/learn or in Choices. This includes the times and dates of courses and an explanation of accreditation and credit levels.