History

History encourages a critical, analytical and reflective view of the past, which is vital for understanding the present. History investigates a broad array of evidence from memories to material remains, from literary culture to popular culture, as well as newer forms of visual, aural and digital evidence.

Our School offers a broad range of courses, taught from a variety of perspectives by scholars who are experts in their field.

Studying History encourages invaluable skills such as:

• Research
• Critical analysis
• Verbal and written communication

Why study History?

The ability to research, contextualise, critique, analyse, explain and communicate are transferable skills that are in considerable demand among employers. These transferable skills make history graduates highly employable individuals who can move with the times and adapt to new modes of work.

For more information contact the discipline convenor Roger Markwick

Honours

The Honours year enables both staff and student to explore a range of special subjects of interest in depth. An Honours degree will:

• Develop and strengthen writing and research skills
• Challenge students intellectually
• Deliver higher-level training that will be useful in many fields of endeavours.

The Honours year is not only the culmination of course-work teaching in the School, but also an introduction to the world of international scholarship and research. It is made up of a course in the theory in the practice of history, two half-semester special studies in history plus the writing of a minor thesis of 15, 000 words.

For more information contact the honours convenor Victoria Haskins.

Research Higher Degrees in History

Current topics being supervised

• PhD: The Court Catholicism of Anne of Denmark(1603 - 1619), Cheryl Dawes. Supervisors: Hilary Carey and Roger Markwick.
• PhD: The role of volunteers in cultural institutions, Marika Leibrandt. Supervisors: Nancy Cushing and Jo May.
• MA: A History of The James Fletcher hospital, Newcastle. Ann Hardy. Supervisors: Nancy Cushing, Erik Eklund.
• MA: The Starvation Years? The role of food in the settlement of Sydney. Jacqueline Newling. University of Adelaide. Supervisor: Nancy Cushing.
• MA: Do Historic Houses have a Future? An exploration of the factors which contribute to or detract from the recognition, appreciation and formal heritage protection of historic houses in the Central Coast region. Margaret Blundell. Supervisors: Nancy Cushing and Christine Cheater.
• MA: The Scottish Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. Justine Atkinson. Supervisor: Philip Dwyer.
• MA: John Carpenter's 'The Thing', Julie Guihot. Supervisor: Philip Dwyer.
• MA: Memory, Work and Community at Teralba, Peta Belic. Supervisor: Erik Eklund.
• PhD: The Convicts of Tocal, 1823 to 1846. Brian Walsh. Supervisor: Erik Eklund.
• PhD: Public Opinion and the British Atomic tests in Australia, Erin Ison. Supervisor: Erik Eklund.
• MA: Women and the construction of re-membering identity formation. Stephanie Gilbert. Supervisor: Jo May.
• PhD: Pioneer Women and Social Memory. Shannon Schedlich-Day. Supervisors: Victoria Haskins and Roger Markwick.
• PhD: Bough, Jill. 'From value to vermin: a history of the donkey in Australia'. Supervisor: Jo May.
• PhD: Debenham, Jennifer. 'The representation of Aboriginal Australians in Australian documentary film over time'. Supervisor: Jo May.
• PhD: Mundy-Taylor, Julie. 'Traditional versus Augmented Storytelling: current debates in the field.' Supervisor: Jo May.
• PhD: Preston, Gregory. 'The College: A History of Newcastle Teachers' College, College of Advanced Education and the Hunter Institute of Higher Education.' Supervisor: Jo May.

Academic Staff in History

To view more information about a staff member, including research interests, please select the "web" option to visit that staff member's profile.