Humanitas - Visiting Professorships at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge

Simon Schama on Public History

May 20, 2016
Simon Schama, a prominent historian from Columbia University, delves into the art of public history. He draws fascinating parallels between hip hop and ancient storytelling, arguing that modern narratives like Hamilton breathe new life into history for diverse audiences. Schama examines the shift from oral to written history, highlighting how figures like Churchill and Walter Scott shaped public engagement. He passionately defends the role of entertainment in making history accessible, suggesting that storytelling can ignite civic interest while remaining truthful.
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ADVICE

Pair Performance With Archival Teaching

  • Use contemporary forms and diverse casting to connect underserved audiences to historical questions.
  • Pair performances with primary-source curricula and discussions to deepen learning.
INSIGHT

Hamilton Reimagines Public History

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton reconnects broad, young audiences with historical narrative through hip-hop and casting choices.
  • The musical makes complex civic debates accessible and fuels classroom engagement through curated curricula and cast discussions.
INSIGHT

History Began As Performance

  • Herodotus wrote to be heard, performing histories to mass audiences in festivals rather than for silent private reading.
  • Oral performance shaped historical form and aims long before modern literate scholarship emerged.
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