HS2STP-Study Trip: Exploring Cities and their Histories

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Emily West
Email: e.r.west@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

By spending 5-7 days in and around a city in the UK or abroad, this module allows students to explore urban and national identity through the city’s material and visual cultural history. It sets out to enhance students’ awareness of objects and cultural representations as historical sources, and to expand understanding of cultural history (and public representations of the city’s history) through close analysis of them. It will consider those objects within wider historical and cultural contexts.

Aims:

This module enables students, by spending 5-7 days (either the week preceding the start of term or in week 6) in and around a city in the UK or abroad, to explore urban and national identity through the city’s material and visual cultural history. It sets out to enhance students’ awareness of objects and cultural representations as historical sources, and to expand understanding of cultural history (and public representations of the city’s history) through close analysis of them. It will consider those objects within wider historical and cultural contexts.

The module will enhance students’ awareness of objects (for example, buildings, memorials, sites, artworks, inscriptions, iconography) as historical sources, and to expand understanding of cultural history through close analysis of them. It will additionally investigate cultural aspects of a city’s history (for example music, fiction, TV, film, sport) and their contribution to the city’s history.

The module additionally encourages students to contemplate how imagination has represented the historical past of the city in question and to think across the inter-disciplinary boundaries of the module’s strands, by considering the historical conditions in which culture has been produced, sponsored, and collected, as well as political changes which have affected – and sometimes destroyed - the changing fabric of the city. In concentrating on the history of one particular city, students will be encouraged to explore a range of intersecting historical ideas particular to that place - intellectual, cultural, and visual. Cities will be chosen with complex, layered histories and rotated from year to year.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

•identify and explain the historical context and cultural development of a city

•appreciate the city’s visual and material culture and their contribution to its history

•discover how a city has promoted itself and its history

•organise material and articulate arguments effectively in audio-visual and written exercises

•locate andassemble bibliographic and other information by independent research, using IT as appropriate

Additional outcomes:

The module aims to encourage students’ initiative, independent learning, and self-reliance in a different environment; team-working as part of a group project involving ca. 5 students who will curate a visual exhibit on one aspect of the city’s history; oral communication skills as part of a team presentation. It will encourage a sense of interdisciplinarity by asking students to think across the boundaries of political, social, and cultural history.

Outline content:

The module will consist of three strands:

1. The history of the city, including cultural representations


2. The art and artefacts housed in the city in museums and galleries


3. The urban topography of the city including architecture and monuments

The module will consider how the city’s history fits into (or reacts against) a wider nation’s history and identity and will also consider how the city promoted itself as a centre of culture by appropriating the past and materialising the ideas of the present. Students will investigate the history of the city before the trip, including, for example representations within films, TV, music, and fiction. During the trip, students will visit the buildings, monuments, museums, galleries, and other sites of historical interest which have shaped the city’s historical identity. The module additionally considers how imagination has representedthe historical past of the city in question. The module will encourage students to think across the inter-disciplinary boundaries of the three strands, by considering the historical conditions in which culture has been produced, sponsored, and collected, as well as political changes which have affected – and sometimes destroyed - the changing fabric of the city.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The trip will be preceded by two introductory lectures, one focussed on the history of the city, the second dealing with house-keeping matters before the trip (these can be delivered via teams if the trip is to take place prior to the start of term). After the trip there will be an additional lecture on the assignments to be submitted and a ‘drop in’ session for further queries. Thereafter, staff will offer designated ‘drop in’ slots (two hours maximum) for further mee tings about the assignments. Students will present their visual exhibit to two members of staff, including the module convenor, before the end of the Autumn term.

Students will participate in walking tours of the city, visiting museums, galleries, buildings, and monuments, supplemented with occasional talks.

Once back in Reading the assignments are as follows:

 A follow-up assignment providing commentary and analysis on a range of historical sources about the city (30%).

The preparation and presentation of a group visual exhibit about the city’s history that includes PPT slides (30%)

 An individual reflective essay which will combine insights from at least two of the three thematic strands (40%)

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	3
Seminars	1
Project Supervision	2
External visits	42
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Wider reading (directed)	20
Advance preparation for classes	20
Preparation for tutorials	2
Preparation for presentations	40
Preparation of practical report	30
Group study tasks	10
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	30
Set exercise	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Two weeks after the end of the city visit students will complete a follow-up assignment of no more than 1,500 words providing commentary and analysis on a range of historical sources about the city (30%).


• Students will prepare and present a group visual exhibit about the city’s history that includes at least 10 PPT slides (30%) in the final week of the Autumn Term. The presentation should be 15-20 minutes in length.


• Students will write ONE reflective essay of 2,500 words which will combine insights from at least two of the three thematic strands (40%). This is to be handed in by 12 noon on the Monday of week 1 of the Spring Term, and should be submitted electronically via Blackboard.

Five marks will be deducted if coursework work exceeds word limits by 5%.

Formative assessment methods:

1,000 words or 2 pages of A4 maximum to include, at the module convenor’s discretion, an essay plan, bibliography, book review or other preparatory work towards the visual exhibition or the reflective essay.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Where a re-sit is permitted, students will be assessed on the failed element(s) only in August. Any element(s) already passed will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. The module mark will be capped at a maximum of 40%. Failed coursework must be re-submitted by 12 noon on the third Friday of August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023