Innovations in Teaching History: Eighteenth-Century Studies in Higher Education

The eighteenth century has been a recent growth area in university research and teaching. Although widely taught in history departments, the eighteenth century also presents challenges, including new students’ unfamiliarity with the period, the theoretical and interdisciplinary nature of the critical writings, and extensive online source material requiring digital skills for its evaluation. Focusing on pedagogical innovation and current developments in the discipline, this collection of essays reflects on how we teach the history of the long eighteenth century, exploring current subfields such as histories of material culture, the senses, gender, crime and empire. It presents practical case studies showcasing how novel teaching methods can be employed in the classroom that promote active learning and invite students to think critically about the nature of their discipline. Methods covered include decolonizing the curriculum, digital history, transferable skills, engaging with objects, working in non-classroom settings, and multisensory approaches. Grounded in real academic practice, this is a valuable guide for all history educators, whether specializing in the eighteenth century or beyond.

‘The skills imparted by an undergraduate history degree are both timeless and constantly changing. This volume brings together seven innovative examples of how historians of the 18th century are changing pedagogy to meet the challenge of teaching with objects and texts – real, digital and sensational – online and in person. It is essential reading for anyone who thinks seriously about history and how we teach it.’

— Tim Hitchcock, Professor Emeritus of Digital History, University of Sussex, UK