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Home > England > London > Programs > Program Overview > Course Requirements > Course Description
Londinium to the Blitz: London through its Museums 1LIB420
University of Westminster
London, England
| Subject Area(s) |
Level(s) |
Instruction in |
Credits |
Contact Hours |
Prerequisites |
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Liberal Arts and Sciences
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300
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English
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4
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50
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N/A
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Module Leader Gustav Milne
Extension 2113
E-mail g.milne@ucl.ac.uk
Module Code: 1LIB420
Assessment 100% coursework
Module Aims
London is one of Europe's greatest cities, with a fascinating history stretching back over two thousand years. Originally built by the Romans, it has endured a long history of war and civil war, fire, famine and plague. It has survived aerial bombardment and terrorism, yet remains a fascinating mosaic of distinct villages, which has given shelter to successive generations of those fleeing persecution and poverty in other lands. It is home to the British monarchy and British parliament, and is the cockpit of British life and culture. This module aims to offer an introduction to a new history of London and to the specialism of ‘public history’, based in part on recent archaeological research and visits to London museums. The module thus aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to evaluate how and how well the history of London is presented to audiences of non-historians.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
· produce an effective descriptive and analytical oral report on a specific representation of historical London in a museum or gallery;
· produce an effective descriptive and analytical written report on the same, demonstrating an awareness of the problems encountered by professional historians in presenting the past to the public;
· demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of London providing the
backdrop to the case study;
· communicate effectively in written English, using recognised academic apparatus;
· communicate effectively in good spoken English, using appropriate audio-visual supports and information and communication technology.
Indicative Syllabus Content
The module will examine inter alia:
· Roman London;
· London in the Middle Ages;
· Georgian and Victorian London;
· London at total war;
· theory and methodology of historical presentation and representation;
· representation of historical London in museums and galleries.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The module is delivered via lectures, seminars and visits. Lectures provide the historical and theoretical framework or the module while seminars allow time for student-led group discussion of issues raised in the lectures and visits. Visits to appropriate museums and galleries form an essential part of this module and are therefore an integral part of the teaching scheme.
Assessment Rationale
Assessment is by coursework (100%). Students will give an assessed presentation lasting no more than fifteen minutes (30%) and write a report of 2,500 words (70%) on a topic relating to the history of London as presented in a museum or gallery.
Assessment is designed to allow students to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and
understanding of the nature of ‘public history’ through a case study (presented in a presentation and report) on the representation of historical London in a museum or gallery. In addition, it is intended to allow students to demonstrate the key skills of use of use of ICT, literacy and ability to argue a case in both written and oral form.
Assessment Methods and Weightings
The assessment scheme breaks down as follows:
· Individual presentation (15 minutes) 30%
· Report (2,500 words) 70%
Assessment Criteria
In oral presentations and reports, students are expected to demonstrate that they can:
· select a sensible and appropriate exhibition, display or installation for analysis;
· place it in its historical context;
· select, comment upon and explain the most significant and most meaningful elements;
· display awareness of the issues raised for professionals in presenting history to
audiences of non-historians;
· evaluate the success of the exhibit or display as an example of ‘public history’;
· communicate effectively and appropriately, both in written and oral form.
Criteria for grading oral assessed work include the following:
· the breadth and depth of demonstrated knowledge and understanding;
· the extent and sophistication of use of information and communication technology in
support of the presentation;
· the appropriateness of the choice of audio-visual material;
· the fluency and professionalism of the presenting technique;
· the extent of imagination and originality of thinking;
· timekeeping;
· the use of relevant evidence to sustain logical and reasonable conclusions.
Criteria for grading written assessed work include the following:
· the breadth and depth of demonstrated knowledge and understanding;
· the coherence and persuasiveness of sustained argument;
· the absence of unsubstantiated generalisation;
· the extent and sophistication of use and synthesis of sources;
· the accuracy, fluency and appropriateness of written English;
· the clarity and consistency of use of academic apparatus;
· the extent of imagination and originality of thinking;
· the use of relevant evidence to sustain logical and reasonable conclusions.
Students’ work is judged to fall at a given point within the range of possible performance from poor to outstanding and marks are awarded as follows:
Characteristics of Performance Mark
Outstanding 80-100%
Excellent 70-79%
Good, some excellent 65-69%
Consistently good 60-64%
Satisfactory, some good 55-59%
Satisfactory, some weaknesses 50-54%
Satisfactory, with significant weaknesses 45-49%
Weak, but meeting pass standard 40-44%
Poor, marginally below pass standard 35-39%
Poor, clear fail 0-34%
Sources
Original image, object and textual sources will be consulted as far as possible. In addition the following indicative reading will be useful. Specific topics will require individual research.
Clout, Hugh. The Times History of London (1999)
Gardner, James B. & LaPaglia, Peter S., (eds) Public history essays from the field (1999)
Inwood, Stephen A History of London (1998)
Jordonava, Ludmilla History in Practice (2000)
Kean, Hilda, Martin, Paul & Morgan, Sally J., (eds)
Seeing history: Public history in Britain now (2000)
Sheppard, Francis. London: A History (1998)
Loewenthal, D. The Past is a Foreign Country (1985)
Tosh, J. The Pursuit of History (2000)
Weightman, Gavin & Humphries, Steve The Making of Modern London 1815-1914 (1983)
Date of Initial Validation April 2007
Date of CASG-approved modifications
Date of Revalidation/Review April 2014
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