Outline

This module is for anyone with an interest in what good Public Engagement in Classics looks like and wants to develop these skills themselves. Picturing Public Engagement as a kind of storytelling, this module will focus on the practical application of Engagement, looking at what good engagement is, how engagement can be assessed, different methods of engagement for different audiences, and why engagement is a crucial skill for any Classicist.

As the central core to this module, students will undertake their own engagement project and have the opportunity to work with institutions outside the University in developing their project.

Principal module aims

The aims of this module are to provide students with an outline of the importance of Public Engagement in Classics, a working knowledge of the different types and methods of Public Engagement depending on project and audience, and practical experience of running a Public Engagement project.

The module aims to give students practical experience which will be of use in their future careers, especially for those interested in entering the heritage and educational sector or those wishing to enter academia.

Overall this module will provide a strongly vocational element to student learning, providing skills of central importance to many different fields of employment after university.

Schedule

Term 2

Week 1: What is Public Engagement in Classics and why does it matter?

Week 2: Who are the ‘public’? Different ‘publics’ and types of engagement in Classics

Week 3: The work of the WCN. Introduction to URSS. Developing a reflective blog post on general issues in Classics Public Engagement [Assessment 1]

Week 4: Public Engagement with Research. Seminar 1 – Developing your group Classics engagement project

Week 5: Engagement techniques, skills, planning; video skills training for vlog/engagement project assessment.

Week 6: Reading Week

Week 7: Engaging with schools and museums Seminar 2 – Developing your group Classics engagement project

Week 8: Digital engagement and creation of online resources

Week 9: Public Engagement in film and media

Week 10: How do we assess Public Engagement? Feedback and assessment

Term 3

Week 1: Group Project work

Week 2: Group Project work

Week 3: Group Project work

Week 4: Public Engagement Showcase event

Assessment for Module

Assessment for the module takes three forms, each providing practical experience of public engagement. These assessments are:

• Reflective blog - students write a 750 word reflective blog post on a general area of Public Engagement in Classics - 20%
• Reflective Vlog - students record a 5 minute reflective video on a specific question in Classics Public Engagement [2 mins explaining their thoughts and decision making; 3 mins sample video] - 30%
• Group Project - students undertake a Public Engagement Project which they develop throughout the course and can involve any aspect of Public Engagement - 50%

The Public Engagement Project is a group project. Each person writes a reflective piece of 1,500 words on their project, and 75% of the project marks are awarded for this reflective piece which will reveal individual contribution to group work as well as success and scope of the project as a whole. 25% of the project assessment is for the public engagement presentation. Presentations take place in a showcase event in Term 3. Working in groups students present for 15 minutes on their project to a public/student audience.