Course content

Work in local history is pursued in most communities throughout Norway, and is conducted in part by people with a formal background in history, and in part by amateur historians. Activities extend from meetings and study of archive collections, place names, photographs and music, to the writing of community histories, yearbooks and articles with a local history focus. This course provides an introduction to the field and will provide a foundation for the understanding of and participation in local history work. Local communities are studied from several perspectives: one focuses on the history of the local community in its own right, another takes a more general perspective, where the local community serves as a point of departure for studying historical problems, with the methods of micro-history, comparative history or transnational history. The subject will provide an introduction to archives and source material that are commonly used in local history research, and will examine how different social units can be studied: the family or household as a society's smallest component, rural communities, cities and regions.

Learning outcome

Students should gain an insight into the theories of the study of local communities, local history research and methods for local history research.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars.

Compulsory assignments

• One approved take-home assignment

Recommended previous knowledge

HIST1150 og HIST1250

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

See reading list

Credit reductions