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Applied Public History

Places, People, Stories

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Catherine Clarke

4.8

Based on 112 ratings

, see reviews

Catherine Clarke

This course introduces learners to applied public history: understanding and interpreting the past today, and engaging diverse communities in the practice of making and sharing histories. The course draws on project case studies, expert insights and diverse perspectives to model exciting approaches to researching and sharing the history of places and people. Learners will develop a toolkit to apply in their own practice, by participating in discussion, quizzes, creative activities and mini masterclasses.

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This course introduces learners to applied public history: understanding and interpreting the past today, and engaging diverse communities in the practice of making and sharing histories. The course draws on project case studies, expert insights and diverse perspectives to model exciting approaches to researching and sharing the history of places and people. Learners will develop a toolkit to apply in their own practice, by participating in discussion, quizzes, creative activities and mini masterclasses.

What kinds of stories can we discover through research into the history of places and people? How do we engage diverse communities with those stories today? What kinds of imaginative approaches can we use to interpret the past? And what tools and opportunities can we create to include new groups and individuals in local research initiatives? Led by the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London – the UK’s national centre for history – this course investigates these questions and helps learners develop transferable approaches to their own local history and heritage interpretation.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Your Place

In this first week, we’ll meet the course presenters, and explore place and history with help from Historic England, Layers of London and others. How do we get a sense of the history and heritage of a place, and how can we involve our communities in understanding the historic environment? We’ll look at the professional practice of describing historic places and buildings, as well as what maps can reveal about place and history – with special access to historic maps in the Institute of Historical Research archive, and reflections on 'deep mapping' in the crowdsourced Layers of London project. There's also a chance for you to introduce yourself: the first step in forming our virtual community and sharing our varied experiences and expertise.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge necessary for engaging diverse communities through the practice of public history

Teaches methods for understanding and interpreting the past in the present, enabling learners to share histories in impactful ways

Provides a comprehensive overview of applied public history, covering various approaches to researching, sharing, and interpreting history

Taught by experts at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, known for their contributions to history

Utilizes a variety of materials and activities, including case studies, quizzes, creative exercises, and masterclasses, to foster engagement

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Reviews summary

Applied public history: engaging communities & stories

According to learners, 'Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories' is a largely positive and comprehensive introduction to its field. Students frequently praise the insightful case studies and real-world examples, noting how the course broadens perspectives on community engagement. The instructors are consistently described as knowledgeable and passionate, effectively conveying complex ideas. While many appreciate the thought-provoking content and emphasis on diverse storytelling, some learners, particularly those with a professional background, desired more in-depth practical methodologies or hands-on assignments beyond its foundational scope. Overall, it's considered an invaluable toolkit for anyone interested in applying history.

Led by knowledgeable and passionate experts.

"The instructors were passionate and very knowledgeable."

"The instructors are clearly experts and convey complex ideas simply."

"Kudos to the University of London team for creating this course."

Course encourages creative thinking and active participation.

"The discussions were lively, and the creative activities pushed me to think differently about historical interpretation."

"I particularly enjoyed the creative practice module and the emphasis on diverse storytelling."

"The exercises encouraged critical thinking and provided a space for sharing our own experiences."

Emphasizes inclusive approaches to involving diverse communities.

"It truly broadened my perspective on how to engage communities with local history."

"The emphasis on co-production and transforming audiences into active researchers was a game-changer."

"The focus on inclusivity and diverse perspectives stood out, showing how communities can co-create history."

Course provides practical examples and real-world applications.

"Absolutely loved this course! The case studies were incredibly insightful, especially the 'Layers of London' project."

"The practical examples, like the Victoria County History 'Red Boxes' project, gave me concrete ideas for our own initiatives."

"The blend of expert insights and real-world case studies made the learning very relevant."

Forum activity and some external links could be improved.

"Some of the links to external resources were outdated, and the discussion forums could be more active for ongoing interaction."

"Content is decent, but some of the discussions felt a bit forced, and the feedback on assignments wasn't always constructive."

Offers comprehensive overview but some seek advanced practical details.

"The course has interesting content, but I felt it was a bit too broad. While it introduces many concepts, it doesn't go deep enough into any one area."

"I enrolled hoping for practical skills to use in my heritage consultancy, but found it more theoretical than expected. I needed more concrete 'how-to's'."

"I wish there were more opportunities for deeper dives into specific tools or methodologies beyond this introductory overview."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories with these activities:

Local History in the Digital Age

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Explore how digital technologies are transforming the field of local history, providing new tools for research, storytelling, and community engagement.

View Clio Wired on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts and case studies.
Identify how the ideas presented in the book could be applied to your own local history projects.
Share your insights with other course participants in a discussion forum.

Explore the National Archives' online resources for local history research

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Familiarizing yourself with the National Archives' online resources can greatly enhance your ability to find and access primary sources for your historical research.

Browse courses on Historical Research

Show steps

Visit the National Archives website
Use the search tools and browse the collections
Identify and download relevant documents for your research

Write historical abstracts for historical research articles

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Practicing writing historical abstracts helps improve your ability to synthesize and communicate historical research findings in a concise and engaging manner.

Browse courses on Historical Research

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Review examples of effective historical abstracts
Identify the key arguments and findings of a historical research article
Draft and revise an abstract that captures the essence of the article

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Read 'History in the Public Sphere' by John Bodnar

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Read 'History in the Public Sphere' provides a grounding in the theoretical foundations of public history and its role in shaping historical narratives and public discourse.

View Soccer's Neoliberal Pitch: The Sport's Power,... on Amazon

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Read and take notes on the book's key chapters
Summarize the main arguments and perspectives presented in the book

Develop a historical walking tour of a neighborhood or town

Show steps

Creating a historical walking tour is a practical and impactful way to engage the public with local history and showcase your understanding of historical research and communication.

Browse courses on Public History

Show steps

Select a neighborhood or town with a rich history
Research and identify historical landmarks, events, and figures
Design a walking route and prepare a script for the tour

Design a digital history exhibit on a local historical event or figure

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Creating a digital history exhibit allows you to apply the principles of public history in a practical and engaging way, showcasing your understanding of historical research and storytelling.

Browse courses on Historical Interpretation

Show steps

Research and select a local event or figure to focus on
Gather primary and secondary sources to support your narrative
Design and develop the digital exhibit, using a platform like Omeka or WordPress

Learn how to conduct oral history interviews

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Learning how to conduct oral history interviews will help you gather valuable insights from people who have experienced history firsthand.

Show steps

Find a tutorial on oral history interviewing
Watch the tutorial and take notes
Practice interviewing a friend or family member

Contribute to the Wikipedia page on a historical topic or figure

Show steps

Contributing to Wikipedia allows you to share your knowledge, improve historical content, and engage with a wider audience interested in history.

Browse courses on Historical Research

Show steps

Identify a Wikipedia page that needs improvement
Research and gather reliable sources to support your additions
Edit the Wikipedia page, following their guidelines and referencing your sources

Career center

Learners who complete Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. They use a variety of sources to learn about the past, including written documents, oral histories, and archaeological evidence. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Community Organizer

Community Organizers work to improve the lives of people in their communities. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Teacher

Teachers help students learn about a variety of subjects, including history. They may work in public schools, private schools, or homeschooling programs. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists create and manage public relations campaigns for businesses and organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Development Officer

Development Officers work to raise funds for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Development Officer

Fundraising Manager

Fundraising Managers oversee the fundraising efforts of nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fundraising Manager

Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and produce news stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Grant Writer

Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the development and implementation of programs for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for planning and managing environmental control over museum collections. They preserve and interpret museum collections for the benefit of the public. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Archivist

Archivists are responsible for the acquisition, preservation, and arrangement of documents and other materials having historical or research value. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for businesses and organizations. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Event Planner

Event Planners plan and coordinate events, such as conferences, weddings, and parties. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Librarian

Librarians help people find information and resources. They may work in public libraries, school libraries, or academic libraries. This course may be useful to you because it will help you to understand the history of places and people, and how to engage diverse communities with those stories. You will also learn about different approaches to researching and sharing the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories.

Cover image

Cover image

Save

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of public history. It features essays from leading scholars in the field. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history and practice of public history.

Sea and Land: An Environmental History of the...

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American Historical Pageantry

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Explores the role of place in public history. It examines how the built environment can be used to tell stories about the past and how it can be used to create a sense of place. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the relationship between public history and place.

American Historical Pageantry

American Historical Pageantry

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Cover image

History on Film/Film on History

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Examines the role of the media in shaping public understanding of history. It explores how history is used in television, film, and other forms of media. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the relationship between history and the media.

History on Film/Film on History

History on Film/Film on History

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Cover image

Malicious Intent

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of public history. It examines the origins of the field and how it has evolved over time. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of public history.

Malicious Intent

Malicious Intent

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Cover image

History on Film/film on History

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This reader collects some of the most important essays in the field of public history. It provides a great overview of the field and its major themes. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about public history.

History on Film/film on History

History on Film/film on History

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Cover image

U.S. Militarism and the Terrain of Memory

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Explores the relationship between history and memory in the public sphere. It examines how history is used to shape public opinion and how it can be used to promote social change. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the role of history in public life.

U.S. Militarism and the Terrain of Memory (Media,...

U.S. Militarism and the Terrain of Memory:...

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Cover image

The Dangerous Art of Text Mining

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Argues that history is more important than ever in the 21st century. It provides a passionate and persuasive case for the value of history in understanding the present and shaping the future. more tailored towards why history is important in general and may not be as useful for understanding how to do/practice public history

The Dangerous Art of Text Mining

The Dangerous Art of Text Mining

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Rating

4.8

Effort

26 hours to complete

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

University of London

Instructor

Catherine Clarke

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge necessary for engaging diverse communities through the practice of public history

Teaches methods for understanding and interpreting the past in the present, enabling learners to share histories in impactful ways

Provides a comprehensive overview of applied public history, covering various approaches to researching, sharing, and interpreting history

Taught by experts at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, known for their contributions to history

Utilizes a variety of materials and activities, including case studies, quizzes, creative exercises, and masterclasses, to foster engagement

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