Advanced Diploma in Local, Family and Applied History

This course provides an opportunity for people interested in local, family and applied history to pursue formal studies in their areas of interest and to acquire qualifications as historians.

The focus is on learning and practising the specific skills and knowledge required to investigate, interpret and present histories that meet professional standards, utilise different sources and media, and engage a variety of different audiences.

Course Aims

The course recognises that there is a wide range of people from differing educational backgrounds who are interested in the pursuit of local, family and applied history as a cultural study in its own right, as a means of promoting community service or as a professional qualification. The popularity of family history on the internet and in television programs is a testament to this interest. This course caters for these students. It recognises their interests and wealth of experience, and aims to build on these in order to enhance their professional skills and the work opportunities available to them as qualified historians.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: identify and interpret a variety of historical sources and demonstrate an understanding of diverse historical approaches; communicate detailed historical investigation and ideas with depth in a variety of written, oral and multi-media forms; understand and apply historical imagination, creativity, intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in the investigation, interpretation and presentation of local, family and applied history; demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of historians to the communities with whom they work and to the discipline of history more broadly; and identify the variety of ways in which local, family and applied history is practised in community, professional and academic settings.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will demonstrate a body of knowledge and experience in history as a discipline, and a firm understanding of key principles, concepts and methods. This will include an appreciation of the processes through which historical knowledge has evolved. They will also understand the need to adopt transnational and multicultural approaches to the understanding of historical issues. Knowledge of history will be taught through unit materials, online discussions, guided readings and directed learning activities. It will be assessed through different forms of assessment appropriate to the area of local, family or applied history being studied. Communication Skills Graduates will have skills that enable them to synthesise and communicate the ideas and information acquired from a variety of sources and from investigating a range of historical issues and problems. Students will be taught these skills through written and oral feedback on assessment tasks and through online and in class discussions and activities. They will practise these skills through their assignments and discussions. They will be assessed on their writing style, clarity of expression, development of ideas, referencing and ability to communicate the results of their study in a variety of written, oral and multi-media formats. Problem Solving Graduates will have a sound understanding of key problem-solving strategies used in history and will be able to apply these skills to develop their own responses to particular problems in different environments, topics and issues. The teaching, practise and assessment of these skills will occur primarily through online discussions and through written and multi-media assessment tasks. Information Literacy Graduates will have research skills in locating, collecting, referencing and evaluating relevant data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources and critically examine the evidence they offer. This involves them becoming familiar with a variety of media and learning how to document and interpret it. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will demonstrate the ability to understand and balance different professional and social responsibilities. These include their professional responsibilities as researchers to provide balanced and accurate investigation; their social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'; and their ethical responsibilities towards the members of the communities and families whose histories they are researching and presenting. Their awareness of these responsibilities will be assessed and taught through the activities assigned for assessment and through discussions in online postings. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have the skills to continue to investigate, evaluate, discuss and present historical issues. In particular, they will understand historical imagination, intellectual curiosity and critical thinking as central tenets of good historical practice. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will develop skills in independent study, in particular through autonomously researching and executing their assessment tasks. Graduates will also have an understanding of local, family and applied history as a collaborative enterprise. It involves working with and for communities, families, government and private organisations. This involves combining an understanding of social responsibility with the skills of teamwork. With this in mind, throughout the course students will practise working collaboratively and networking effectively to solve problems and present results. This is achieved through the online discussions and the sharing of information and findings. In this environment students are required to take the initiative as well as assert their own values and opinions while respecting the values and contributions of others.