Last modified: 01 Aug 2023 11:46
History has long had a high profile in literature, film and television; its presence has expanded exponentially in the digital age, with a vast range of new historically-based websites, computer games, and blogs. This course will consider the use of history and historical themes in literature, film, and television. In an age claimed to be post Truth, it will consider the dividing-line between fiction and history, the problems of historical authenticity and artistic licence, and the use and misuse of history by politicians and other public figures.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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History has long had a high profile in literature, film and television; its presence has expanded exponentially in the digital age, with a vast range of new historically-based websites, computer games, and blogs. This course will consider the use of history and historical themes in literature, film, and television. It will look at theoretical approaches to the presentation of History in various forms of the media; the connection between academic history and public history, and changes in the place of history in the media in the digital age. An important part of the course will be to consider the distinction between History and Fiction in the post-Truth age, and to develop a critical awareness of the problems of historical authenticity and artistic licence, and the use and misuse of history by politicians and other public figures. It will consider the ways in which historical myths are created in the media, and the difficulties academic historians have in changing popular myths and misconceptions about individual historical topics. As part of their assessment, students will prepare seminar contributions, prepare a critical review of a particular presentation of a historical topic, and write a 4,000-word essay examining the presentation of a historical subject in at least two different media formats. The focus of the two assessed pieces of work can be drawn from any period of history or historical specialism.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Show a critical understanding of the ways in which the digital age has changed the ways in which history is presented, and the problems involved for the historian. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Demonstrate an ability to think critically about the difference between history and fiction, and the ways in which various forms of media approach this distinction. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate a critical awareness of the theoretical literature on history and the media. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate an ability to apply the themes of the course in a critical analysis of one or more presentations of historical topics or themes in the media. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Continuous, oral feedback |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Show a critical understanding of the ways in which the digital age has changed the ways in which history is presented, and the problems involved for the historian. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Demonstrate an ability to think critically about the difference between history and fiction, and the ways in which various forms of media approach this distinction. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Evaluate and debate the use of history in various types of media, including literature, television, film, and gaming applications. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 29 | Feedback Weeks | 32 | |
| Feedback |
Essay based on the presentation of a historical topic or theme in at least two different media types. Written and oral feedback within 3 weeks |
Word Count | 4000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Show a critical understanding of the ways in which the digital age has changed the ways in which history is presented, and the problems involved for the historian. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Demonstrate an ability to think critically about the difference between history and fiction, and the ways in which various forms of media approach this distinction. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate an ability to apply the themes of the course in a critical analysis of one or more presentations of historical topics or themes in the media. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate a critical awareness of the theoretical literature on history and the media. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Evaluate and debate the use of history in various types of media, including literature, television, film, and gaming applications. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Demonstrate an ability to think critically about the difference between history and fiction, and the ways in which various forms of media approach this distinction. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate a critical awareness of the theoretical literature on history and the media. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Show a critical understanding of the ways in which the digital age has changed the ways in which history is presented, and the problems involved for the historian. |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate an ability to apply the themes of the course in a critical analysis of one or more presentations of historical topics or themes in the media. |
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