History/EPQ: Detecting Bias in Sources – University Tutorial With Professor Stephen Church From University of East Anglia

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In this live interactive History/EPQ tutorial, we will be joined by Professor Stephen Church, a leading academic from the School of History at University of East Anglia, who will explore Detecting Bias in Sources.

Professor Stephen Church discusses and challenges the concept of ‘bias’ and, introducing students to the importance of comprehending rather than condemning sources, he illustrates the opportunities this ‘sympathetic’ mindset opens up to a researcher.

Stephen discusses the key questions historians ask when faced with a source, including why the source was published, when and by whom. And, whilst recognising the value of new sources, Stephen asserts the importance of revisiting previously studied texts with new questions and approaches in order to gain new and greater insight.

During the live session, Stephen will introduce a variety of sources and work with the audience to gain a better understanding of them and their value. The Headliner recording below offers essential context to this live and interactive discussion and can be watched as a class activity or independently in preparation for 2nd February.

Lecturer Profile (Please Click): Professor Stephen Church

Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom, or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.

As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but access to the Headliner recording will continue to be accessible.

Suitable for: Key Stage 5, and equivalent, students studying or with an interest in studying History and related subjects and for those carrying out an EPQ. Teachers and members of school staff, as always, are welcome too and participants can join as individuals from school/college or home, or as a group from school/college.

Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students are asked to watch the Headliner recording and consider some of the key issues.

The IT Setup: The event will be run on Bluejeans and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.

Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below:

Register here