AD3035 - Exploring the Culture and History of the North East

What will I learn on this module?

On this module you will explore the history and culture of Newcastle and the North East. As you explore you will learn to find scholarly resources that help you interpret the region’s past and culture. At the same time you will learn how to evaluate primary and secondary sources whether they are buildings, books, or blogs. Finally, you will learn how to create an archive of research so that you can develop your own meaningful accounts of the lives and events that have shaped the region. The module will introduce you to some key people, places and periods in the history and culture of Newcastle and the North East, and you will also have the opportunity to investigate the region guided by your own specific interests.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn on the module through a stimulating range of lectures, seminars, film screenings and field trips. Your learning will be supported by the excellent library facilities, and by resources made available to you through the e-learning portal. Each week you will be given a preparatory activity (e.g. set reading, a source search) which will form the basis of your explorations in class for that week. Sessions will be delivered by the module team to ensure you benefit from their particular expertise across a range of disciplines.

By attending the lectures and seminars and undertaking the assignments you will be able to achieve the module learning outcomes. As you explore the history and culture of the North East you will develop foundational knowledge in research skills, time management, IT skills, critical thinking and evaluation as well as academic communication skills.

In addition to learning during contact hours with the module tutors, you will undertake the directed learning of the preparatory activities as well as independent learning. Independent learning generally will take the form of further reading and research, the consolidation of session materials and the completion of the assessment.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module handbook provides details of sessions, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture PowerPoint slides are made available on the e-learning portal. The module tutors will be available in taught sessions, as well as in feedback and consultation hours and on email/phone, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Moreover, feedback on formative work and the first summative assessments will also serve as ‘feed forward’, giving guidance on how to improve during the module. In addition, you have a designated Personal Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Personal Guidance Tutor’s role includes:
• monitoring your ongoing academic progress
• helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development
• directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus)

You are advised to see your Personal Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1 demonstrate a capacity to evaluate primary and secondary sources including material objects and digital media.
2 develop some knowledge of the history and culture of Newcastle and the North East.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3 demonstrate a capacity to find research resources and maintain research records on which to draw for academic work.
4 demonstrate an understanding of different ways of presenting sources in academic writing.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5 demonstrate an awareness of the importance of accurate academic citation.

How will I be assessed?

Formative

Presentation: You will give a 5 minute illustrated presentation your chosen topic for your research archive (MLO 1-2)

Summative:
1. Website analysis essay (40%): You will write a 1000 word critical analysis of the website for a historical/cultural institution in the North East (MLO 1, 4)

2. Research archive and either an essay or a piece of creative writing (60%): You will write 1000 words on a topic chosen from a list supplied by your tutor. Your essay/creative piece will be accompanied by a research archive which includes your bibliography as well as other research materials (e.g. photos, sound recordings) that you have collected in preparation for your submission (MLO 1-3, 5)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

On this module you will explore the history and culture of Newcastle and the North East. As you explore you will learn to find scholarly resources that help you interpret the region’s past and culture. At the same time you will learn how to evaluate primary and secondary sources whether they are buildings, books, or blogs. Finally, you will learn how to create an archive of research so that you can develop your own meaningful accounts of the lives and events that have shaped the region. The module will introduce you to some key people, places and periods in the history and culture of Newcastle and the North East, and you will also have the opportunity to investigate the region guided by your own specific interests.

Course info

UCAS Code L8L9

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Humanities

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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