Objectives
This course is designed for those who wish to pursue life history research, or, gain accreditation for previous experience in this field. The course is distinctive in that it has strong practical as well as theoretical components, and takes an inter-disciplinary approach to life history research. It focuses on oral history and media production, and there will be opportunities to get involved with local communities and work on live projects. You study how to collect, analyse, represent and exhibit life history data in different contexts and have the opportunity to practise some of these skills in collaboration during work placements - for example, in research projects, archives, museums, libraries and community groups. Successful graduates will be well equipped to disseminate life history data to specific audiences using a range of multimedia tools as necessary.
Course description
Course structure
The course consists of four essential modules, two optional modules and a triple-module dissertation of 15,000 words.
The core modules are:
-Collecting Life Histories - Interview and Context
-Making Community Histories - Analysis and Media Production
-Work Placement
-Archives and Display of Life Histories
-Dissertation
Optional modules include:
-Writing Biography
-Design for the Internet
-Digital Video Production
-Radio Documentary
-Twentieth Century Women
Assessment
A range of methods are used, including essays, written reports, critical reviews, interviews and multimedia artefacts.
Career opportunities
The course is particularly suited to those who are looking to:
-continue academic research to doctoral level
-develop community-based life history projects
-work with life history data in different disciplines and environments - for example, in social science and cultural history research, creative writing, multimedia, art practice, performance, museums, archives, libraries and galleries
-contribute to regeneration initiatives.
Collaborative projects:
MA Life History Research course team members have been involved in a range of projects in collaboration with community-based organisations.
Current projects:
Care Stories: oral history project documenting the experiences of young people leaving care, in partnership with the Tavistock Portman NHS Trust, and Haringey Social Services (funded by Higher Education Active Community Fund and the Tavistock Portman NHS Trust)
Refugee Community Histories Project: oral history project documenting the contribution of refugee communities to the culture and economy of London since 1951, in partnership with Museum of London and Evelyn Oldfield Unit (funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund).
Eastender Archive Project: development of digital archive of Paul Trevor's photographs documenting the East End of London over thirty years (funded by the Research Capability Fund).
Attendance & duration
-Full-time: 1 year, 3 modular sessions a week
-Part-time (eve): 2 years, 2 evenings a week
-Part-time (day): 2 years, 2 modular sessions a week
