Module: Uses & Abuses of History

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Uses & Abuses of History
Module Code	HIS1013 (ITS: HY118)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This is a team taught module that uses case studies from a wide range of geographical and chronological contexts to explore the uses of history in contemporary societies. Appeals to history have been used variously as a way of justifying political and social movements, military activities, state building and atrocities. Using these case studies will encourage students to think critically about the discipline of history and assess it not as a list of facts, but rather a range of powerful (and often inaccurate) narratives that have serious impacts on the world we live in.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reflect critically on the ways in which societies use history to justify contemporary social and political actions and movements
2. Identify and discuss specific examples of the presentist use of history
3. Present reasoned written arguments about the ways in which history has been used as a justification for political actions
4. Demonstrate awareness of the ways in which history is deliberately misinterpreted in the present day

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	32	Attending weekly lectures and tutorials
Independent Study	155	Reading, preparing for tutorials and completing assessments
Total Workload: 187

Section Breakdown
CRN	20527	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marnie Hay	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Plagarism, library and citation training online (LETS)	20%	n/a
Essay	Reflective essay on learnings from the module and history at 3rd level	50%	n/a
Reflective journal	Reflection on popular media, newspaper report or historical source related to the module content	20%	n/a
Participation	Participation in tutorials	10%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Key readings and additional resources for research will be posted on Loop.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None