Past Discussions
9 October, 2014— Great War Diaries (BBC Two)
Inspired by letters and journals, this docu-drama explores the First World War through the perspective of everyday witnesses. There are three episodes of Great War Diaries. Please watch at least one episode to prepare for discussion.
You may also find the following resources interesting:
‘Great War Diaries: Turning Diaries into Compelling Drama' by Jan Peter
Review by Gerard O'Donovan (The Telegraph)
Review by Tom Birchenough (theartsdesk.com)
You may also find the following resources interesting:
‘Great War Diaries: Turning Diaries into Compelling Drama' by Jan Peter
Review by Gerard O'Donovan (The Telegraph)
Review by Tom Birchenough (theartsdesk.com)
13 November, 2014— History and Historical Fiction
Can we learn anything about the past from historical fiction? Should historians write fiction? Do novelists have an obligation to accurately represent the past?
Please read the following to prepare for discussion:
‘Why Historians Should Write Fiction' by Ian Mortimer
‘On Dealing with History in Fiction' by Hilary Mantel
‘Truth, Lies and Historical Fiction' by Philippa Gregory
27 November, 2014— Can an Object Tell a Story?
Objects can tell us a lot, but only with background knowledge. Reflect on a recent exhibition or public history event you have attended which featured objects and consider the following questions:
How do you use objects in a museum setting to interest those with little or no background knowledge of a topic?
How are objects used in a public history setting?
Objects can tell us a lot, but only with background knowledge. Reflect on a recent exhibition or public history event you have attended which featured objects and consider the following questions:
How do you use objects in a museum setting to interest those with little or no background knowledge of a topic?
How are objects used in a public history setting?
2 April, 2015- Banished (BBC Two)
Banished is a historical drama which depicts the founding of the penal colony in New South Wales in 1788. What does this television programme tell us about the early history of transportation? Please watch the first episode (available on BBC iPlayer or Box of Broadcasts) to prepare for discussion.
We will be considering Banished alongside primary source documents from the early convict period. Before the session, you may like to explore the 'Tales from the First Fleet' resources on the website of the State Library of New South Wales.
Banished is a historical drama which depicts the founding of the penal colony in New South Wales in 1788. What does this television programme tell us about the early history of transportation? Please watch the first episode (available on BBC iPlayer or Box of Broadcasts) to prepare for discussion.
We will be considering Banished alongside primary source documents from the early convict period. Before the session, you may like to explore the 'Tales from the First Fleet' resources on the website of the State Library of New South Wales.
How to Access Programmes on Box of Broadcasts
1) Search for “Box of Broadcasts” on Voyager (the LRC catalogue)
2) Click on the “Box of Broadcasts” result and then click on “Link to website”
3) Enter “University of Hertfordshire” in the “Where Are You From?” box and click “Go to login”
4) Click “Alternative login”
5) Select “University of Hertfordshire” under “Universities”
6) Click “Go to the University of Hertfordshire login page”
7) You’re now logged in and can search for programmes under “Search the archive”
2) Click on the “Box of Broadcasts” result and then click on “Link to website”
3) Enter “University of Hertfordshire” in the “Where Are You From?” box and click “Go to login”
4) Click “Alternative login”
5) Select “University of Hertfordshire” under “Universities”
6) Click “Go to the University of Hertfordshire login page”
7) You’re now logged in and can search for programmes under “Search the archive”