Certificate in History of Family & Genealogical Methods 2011

This certificate programme is designed to provide a supportive and stimulating context for history of family research. It is a one-year, part-time course, which caters for the continuing education needs of those who wish to undertake study in the theory, methodology and practice of history of family and genealogical methods and who require supervision in carrying out research particularly as it might be applied to an understanding of familial heritage in the context of local, regional and national identity.

The course consists of four modules, worth a combined 30 credits, which will be delivered one evening per week, 6.30pm to 9.30pm during the UL Autumn and Spring semesters. To facilitate students who live at a distance, the course will include blended (on-line), learning. A sympathetic academic environment will be provided by the course lecturers, who will offer guidance in appropriate research skills.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applications are invited from mature students (in general 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of registration). Each mature student is considered on an individual basis, whose academic qualifications, work experience, motivation and overall potential for the programme are evaluated.
COURSE CONTENT (MODULE NAMES)
AUTUMN SEMESTER
HI2101 History of Family I: Theory and Practice
HI2131 Sources and methods for the History of Family
SPRING SEMESTER
HI2102 History of Family II: Migration and Communities
HI2132 Research Methods
FEES
€ 684 – subject to review

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT DETAILS
Dr David J. Butler email: david.butler@ul.ie
Course booking: Genealogy.workshop@ul.ie

This certificate programme is designed to provide a supportive and stimulating context for history of family research. It caters for the continuing education needs of those who wish to undertake study in the theory, methodology and practice of history of family and genealogical methods and who require supervision in carrying out research particularly as it might be applied to an understanding of familial heritage in the context of local, regional and national identity.
The programme facilitates the development of important skills in research methods, particularly that of acquiring skills in the input of family historical data and in dealing with myriad archival and online resources for the history of family, thus addressing the ongoing skills development of personnel working in the Irish studies, historical, heritage, and educational sectors.

The certificate programme is offered under the auspices of the Irish Ancestry Research Centre (IARC), on the campus of the University of Limerick. This centre is open to the general public as well as to the campus body. An aim of the University is to bring people in from outside the academic field and the centre would do that. Heritage centres and other institutions will be able to avail of its services. The certificate addresses the need for a practitioner-led, academically grounded, University-level qualification – either for those with an existing interest in history of family or those who wish to study the area in detail, and possibly use it in their careers. As such, the course is particularly appropriate to professionals, such as archivists, museum staff, land agents, lawyers, librarians, records agents, auctioneers, historians and geographers.
By its very composition, the History of Family embraces interdisciplinary study that will appear to all sectors of society. This scheme of study offers a one year, part-time, learning programme at sub-degree level to provide a University Certificate qualification to:
 Individuals who are already active in the area of history of family/genealogy;
 Provide those interested in the history of the family with an opportunity to obtain formal training in its methodologies and concepts;
 Individuals who will find it professionally useful to advance their skills in writing, computer and design skills, and to acquire the ability to research, write and critique historical projects over a sustained period of history;
 Contribute to and support each student's personal quest for intellectual and moral autonomy.


On completion of the certificate, participants will have acquired the skills and ability to:
• Locate and interpret interdisciplinary sources for the research of history of family;
• Engage with how family histories may be organised;
• Understand the procedures of documentation for history of family;
• Create meaningful relationship charts from basic family data;
• Study and understand of the landscape of the region pertinent to the history of their family

MODULES OF STUDY:

History of Family I: Theory and Practice This first module is aimed at introducing students to key concepts, theories and methodologies in the history of family, underpinning any future study with sound genealogical methods. In facilitating an overview of principals, goals and end products, it will guide students in their independent research and writing. The module will equip students with essential skills in problem-solving, research design and report writing and will encourage engagement with ethical research questions concerning the contested nature of memory in the creation of historical sources. As such, it provides the basic framework for all research assignments to be covered in this certificate programme.

Sources and methods for the History of Family The aim of this module is to introduce students to key sources – and methods of locating and obtaining access to those sources – for the study of history of family, to enable them to contextualise and corroborate their oral history research projects and interests. It will provide an understanding of the construction of historical narratives. Students will be introduced to a variety of sources for the study of Irish history as well as that of oral history.

History of Family II: Migration and Communities The aim of this module is to introduce students to concepts, sources and approaches to the study of family history, in the context of migratory patterns and community formation, to enable the student to contextualise and corroborate their family history research projects. The confines of a family’s immediate locality defined their identity. Families were educated, employed and entertained within boundaries demarcated by geography, religious and civil authorities, and themselves. Equally, students will be trained to examine the factors and characteristics of Irish demographic movement in order to test the theories and explanations that historians, sociologists and geographers have offered. In addition, students will be expected to examine and critically evaluate primary source material, including emigrant letters and diaries, newspapers, official papers, census records and other material.

Research Methods The aim of this module is to guide students through key methods and approaches to the research of history of family to enable them to contextualise and corroborate their research projects and interests, and to present their results in a constructive and positive environment. Students will be encouraged to use a large variety of sources for their study of family history, both in the Irish regional/national context, and internationally, whilst availing of innovative technological expertise.



Certificate Delivery This programme is delivered in the evenings at times which take account of the occupational and personal needs of its students. It consists of four six-credit modules of lectures/seminars, and workshops/labs. The modules will run consecutively; two during semester one and two during semester two. The independent research dimension forms part of each module. The modules are closely integrated: each will support the other. Research topics will be examined during the lectures and seminars and the results of on-going research will be treated in the second semester module

Entry Qualifications Applicants are expected to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate or an approved equivalent. However, mature students without the Leaving Certificate are welcome to apply. All students will be evaluated in terms of their academic qualification, experience in heritage preservation, motivation and /or occupational experience. Candidates may be asked for an interview. The University’s RPL policy will, where appropriate, be operated for applicants to this programme.