Public History & Cultural Heritage - MA

The Public History and Cultural Heritage MA programme is offered as a one-year full-time or two-year part-time postgraduate degree programme (online/blended). The programme is delivered through a combination of modern learning modes, including dialogic learning, active and inquiry-based learning, community interaction, problem-solving and creativity, media literacy, reflective practice, and self-directed learning. Graduates attain a globally-recognised postgraduate qualification in a cutting-edge area of historical practice.

What will students learn?
The programme has been designed to include a combination of conceptual, methodological and practice-based modules, thus broadening the student’s intellectual and scholarly experience. The modules engage with contemporary issues in public history and cultural heritage, including controversies, collaborations, and communications. Students learn about public uses and abuses of the past, what this means in theory and in practice, applying knowledge and skills they acquire to their own learning goals.

On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

• Comprehend key themes and practices in the areas of public history and cultural heritage.
• Develop understanding of the ethical issues around the practice and consumption of history in the public sphere and in the area of cultural heritage.
• Critically evaluate key issues in practice and research relevant to areas of public history and cultural heritage.
• Demonstrate digital public history literacy and competencies.
• Acquire knowledge applicable to museum/archival collections and exhibits.
• Appreciate issues around the conservation and protection of cultural heritage sites and objects.
• Build a range of skills and competencies for working in public history and/or cultural heritage.
• Display practical and cultural competence to work in public history and cultural heritage.
• Engage in practitioner-based research that contributes to the growth of national and international research in public history and/or cultural heritage.
• Develop the art of academic writing and advanced historical research skills.
• Apply skills and insights acquired during the programme to present research to publication standard.

Who is this programme for?
Anyone interested in public history practice, production, performance, participation, and promotion. Public History is a very broad discipline covering many areas where publics engage with history outside of academia. Students come to the programme from a range of backgrounds; some come directly from studying towards an undergraduate degree in History or related disciplines; others come to it after a break from formal study, or having built up extensive professional practice or ‘real world’ know-how. All bring their own experiences to the programme, and in a collegial, peer-supported environment, learn new information and skills to apply to areas in which they want to specialise.

The programme will appeal to:

• those who come from and currently work in public history and cultural heritage, the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) sector, or as freelance historians working on local community history and heritage projects, looking to upskill and build their knowledge in an academic context; and
• recent History (or cognate subject) graduates who are interested in working in these areas, seeking practical experience and skills.

Online/blended modules appeal to students who are unable to attend on campus, particularly overseas students interested in public history and cultural heritage within an Irish context, and who would like to benefit from studying at an Irish university, as well as those working in the field. Some international students choose to spend some time in Ireland, conducting research and/or on placement, though this is not a requirement. During this time they are welcome to study on campus, and will be assisted in identifying a suitable local work placement, if desired.