Anitra Malin
Student spotlight details
Having always had a keen interest in local history, Anitra finally enrolled on our online Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History and states that she has 'learned to look at local history with a different, more critical eye'.
'I had always had an interest in local history but as someone with a science and healthcare background I felt ill-equipped to undertake any meaningful, historical study of the past. It seemed to be another way of seeing, thinking and writing about the world.
'I enrolled on the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History (online) on the understanding that I was very much a novice in relation to how to go about exploring and writing about history and was somewhat apprehensive to learn that not only was there much to think about from a theoretical perspective, but also aspects of historical study and research involved the use of databases and computer programmes!
'Though challenging, I was not put off by this and was well supported in my learning, quickly finding that I gained a great deal of pleasure and confidence looking at historical sources and using the databases to analyse historical data. What was often hidden to the eye suddenly became visible! It was exciting as there was so much to learn, so much to become interested in and so much to test me.
'Learning how to access and use primary and secondary sources in a critical way was fascinating and helped me create insights into local history that fitted into the bigger picture of what was taking place in society at particular points in history. In addition, a very enjoyable part of the programme was the relative freedom to negotiate my own topics to explore in the assignments. Being able to do this allowed me to focus on those aspects of history that I found most interesting. This freedom was exciting and creative and writing assignments was such an enjoyable experience – something I thought I would never hear myself say!
'If you are happy with distance learning and have a keen interest in developing your local history skills and knowledge alongside the wider historical context, I cannot recommend this course highly enough. You will certainly not be disappointed as the Advanced Diploma has been, by far, the best course I have done in a very long time.
'Since completing it I have read extensively about history more broadly and used what I have learned to look at local history with a different, more critical eye. I have begun to write more confidently about local history issues but more than this, I feel I have taken my first steps in joining the local history fraternity - with all the opportunities this brings to allow the lives of people from the past to come to life.'
