Jan-09: History at H.E.

Sixty A Level History students from the Sixth Form College and Sixth Form Centre visited Staffordshire University to learn more about "Colonisation and De-colonisation in Africa 1870-1981".

The students visited the local university across two days to take part in a variety of workshops to support them in the coursework element of the A Level programme.

During the session the students were introduced to research techniques used in Higher Education with access to online materials and resources including History Today. They selected some possible areas of study on different countries in different time periods across the 100 years. The groups were given a detailed introduction to the Library facilities at the University and were informed that they can access these facilities throughout their course to enhance their learning.

Using several texts and the online resources provided, the students worked in groups to produce a group presentation answering a set question for the day.

Charles Turner, Curriculum Manager for History, commented:

"It was a good introduction to the demands of learning in Higher Education and provided the students with some early ideas of the sorts of themes they need to address in their coursework. They all presented their ideas to the rest of the group and the University staff and students who helped said how well they had done."

Michael Brammeld, formerly of Haywood Engineering College, and is currently studying at the Sixth Form Centre said:

“I found the session helpful because it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the types of questions we will need to answer for the coursework element of the course."

Jon Elson, also of Haywood Engineering College is currently studying at the Sixth Form Centre said:

"I enjoyed the experience and found it useful because it gave us the chance to explore a number of topics which we could use for our coursework and the chance to see what the university environment is like.”

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Article taken with permission from City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College website.

Sep-09: Researching Remembrance, Commemoration and Memorials

Staffordshire University History department together with the University of Nottingham, the National Memorial Arboretum and The Royal British Legion has arranged a series of seminars on Remembrance, Commemoration and Memorials. The four seminars held over two years are bringing together more than forty academics and practicioners in the field of remembrance discussing and exchanging views and deepening understanding on the meaning of remembrance.

The dissemination of the research is being encouraged through future conferences, study days and publications; for example there will be a dedicated edition of the Journal of War and Culture Studies published in 2011.

Staffordshire University work placement students - Emma Rushton and Alison Webb - have assisted in the organisation of the seminars, whilst second year student Jamie Boulton with the help of his brother has constructed an accompanying website available at : http://www.remembrancereseminars.org.uk/