Writing Family History unit (HAA004)

Online

Introduction

Who are the most interesting characters on your family tree? Would you like to write their stories to share with other family members, or with a wider audience? Perhaps you have an ancestor who is intriguing because of what you don't know about them and so can only imagine their story. This unit is an introduction to writing non-fictional and fictional narratives based on genealogical records. Students will gain skills in crafting engaging, readable family history narratives through writing historical and/or fictional pieces about people, places, and events from their family records.

Summary

Unit name	Writing Family History
Unit code	HAA004
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	English
Coordinator	Doctor Fergus Edwards
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Foundation or Enabling

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Term 3

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Term 3	26/7/2026	10/8/2026	30/8/2026	3/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Use and reflect on a wide range of key strategies and techniques for writing narratives based on genealogical research
• Demonstrate skills in analysing and interpreting historical sources
• Produce a coherent work of short fiction or non-fiction based on genealogical research
• Observe the conventions of spelling, punctuation, and grammar in narrative writing

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
100705	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,972.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly online learning materials (e.g. short video lectures, discussions, readings, activities) (approx. 3 hours).
Assessment	Genealogical Research Task (30%)|Quizzes (30%)|Written Narrative and Reflection (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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