HIS8124 : Digital Histories: People, Place, Power
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Louise Rayne
- Lecturer: Professor Graham Smith
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will contextualise how digital histories including new and emerging technologies can be applied to and communicate the past. It will explore the meaning of place in the digital age, by engaging with historical and digital mapping as well as the emerging use of AR and VR to recreate past places and document public history. Students will be introduced to the spatial turn in history, and will explore the history of maps and mapping, basic digital mapping skills, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and VR/AR interfaces, as well as key digital skills such as online writing.
By the end of the course, students will understand the possibilities of these tools rather than being ‘expert’ in their use. In common with other modules in this programme, students will be encouraged to consider the power dynamics and ethical considerations of these processes.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will follow a weekly pattern, alternating between theory and practice. Students will engage in interactive, practice-based workshops that will introduce them to a range of digital skills. This approach is designed to help students to make the links between theory and practice.
Topics include:
Interpretation of space and place (including an introduction to GPS)
Images and place (the life of places and sites beyond their physical presence through digital images)
Historicising maps, their cultural specificity and power
Satellite imagery, its history and ethical challenges
Heritage frameworks
Using digitised maps and mapping software (eg ordnance survey historical map archive, Google Earth)
Digital interactive mapping and crowd mapping
Introduction to basic GIS.
Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Uses Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality to encourage engagement with history and heritage
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 53 | 1:00 | 53:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 46 | 1:00 | 46:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Planned for in-person but digital alternatives will be available. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 48 | 1:00 | 48:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module Talk |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module is designed using a flipped classroom pedagogy. Structured research and reading activities will introduce students to topics, ideas and skills which will be explored during weekly small group teaching and computer-based practical workshops. Alternating between practical session and more theory-focussed sessions will give students the opportunity to develop new skills while making the link between theory and practice.
Self-guided fieldwork will give students the opportunity to develop their skills independently.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 50 | Practical fortnightly exercises plus 1000 words explanatory material. |
| Essay | 1 | M | 50 | 2000 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | 5 min group presentation. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assignment weighting is designed to indicate to students the importance of making the connection between theory and practice. Each week students will be set a short task that will build towards the final portfolio which will be presented via an online platform. The aim is to ensure graduates are aware of what is possible for digital projects, rather than to provide them with the skills to undertake detailed digital projects.
The formative assessment will build skills towards the final portfolio.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HIS8124's Timetable