TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring historical thinking and agency with undergraduate history students
AU - Nye, Adele
AU - Hughes-Warrington, Marnie
AU - Roe, Jill
AU - Russell, Penny
AU - Deacon, Desley
AU - Kiem, Paul
PY - 2011/11
Y1 - 2011/11
N2 - Recent research on historical thinking has instigated important disciplinary conversations and changes in pedagogical practice. They have, however, largely focused on the primary and secondary school sector, highlighting the gap in corresponding research into tertiary education. It is important to look at the experiences of history students at tertiary level, to assess the impact of perceptions and practices on graduate employment outcomes and transitions to research careers. In 2008 a national scoping study on student and staff perceptions of the nature and purposes of historical thinking was undertaken at 12 Australian universities, involving 1455 student questionnaires and 50 interviews with academics. This article examines student and staff perceptions of the social benefits of historical thinking, highlighting the great potential for transformative learning and civic contribution, and the vital role of agency in this process.
AB - Recent research on historical thinking has instigated important disciplinary conversations and changes in pedagogical practice. They have, however, largely focused on the primary and secondary school sector, highlighting the gap in corresponding research into tertiary education. It is important to look at the experiences of history students at tertiary level, to assess the impact of perceptions and practices on graduate employment outcomes and transitions to research careers. In 2008 a national scoping study on student and staff perceptions of the nature and purposes of historical thinking was undertaken at 12 Australian universities, involving 1455 student questionnaires and 50 interviews with academics. This article examines student and staff perceptions of the social benefits of historical thinking, highlighting the great potential for transformative learning and civic contribution, and the vital role of agency in this process.
KW - agency
KW - history
KW - purposes of education
KW - qualitative research
KW - undergraduates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84858401544&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/03075071003759045
DO - 10.1080/03075071003759045
M3 - Article
SN - 0307-5079
VL - 36
SP - 763
EP - 780
JO - Studies in Higher Education
JF - Studies in Higher Education
IS - 7
ER -