HIST 288 - Sem: Public History

SPRING 2024 TOPIC: From Foundations to Frontiers: Changes in Practice & Perspective

In this course students will explore the many ways that history is presented to and interpreted for and with the “public,” including museums, historic houses, national parks, walking tours and monuments, as well as on-line blogs, podcasts, and digital exhibits. Each week we will focus on one venue or genre, considering its historical purpose and methods, controversies and ethical issues, alongside the critical new ways that practitioners are re-imagining and re-presenting their work.  Students will visit and assess sites of public history, and will engage in two significant ‘hands-on’ public history projects.  While the specifics will vary semester to semester, these projects will include collaboration with community-level public history organizations, as well as the creation of student-designed digital public history content.  Through these projects, students will learn the structures, processes and practices of public history and will develop related technological skills.

 

Course Designation/Attribute: POP

Anticipated Terms Offered: Offered periodically