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Why Public History? People's demand for history extends beyond the classroom. Each year millions watch the History Channel and visit Civil War battlefields, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution. Today, historians inside and outside academia are collaborating to bring the lessons of the past to the general public via parks, museums, movie theaters, television and radio stations, courtrooms, embassies and consulates, and the Internet.
What IS Public History? Public History may be loosely defined as the practice of history outside the academic setting in, for example, museums, archives, corporations, government agencies, and historic sites. Public history, however, is not most distinguished by where it is practiced, but instead by its audiences and methods of communication. Public historians believe that history and historical memory shape the way people understand their world and live their lives, and that people become more interested in history when they see their personal connections to it. Public history can have a number of goals:
To
bring meticulously researched and creatively interpreted new scholarship to
public audiences
To
democratize the study of the past by including the public in the process of
doing history; to encourage people to study the past and form their own interpretations
based on evidence
To
help individuals and communities understand their shared histories and heritage;
to help people develop a sense of community identity through their history
To give people (both through academic programs and public
outreach) the scholarly, research, writing, and educational skills to effectively
and accurately disseminate history through a variety of increasingly popular
and powerful media, including web sites, exhibits, television programs, movies,
or newspapers
To
make history useful, relevant, fun, and easily accessible to a wide audience
The work of
public historians can roughly be divided into two major areas:
Historical Resources Management: involves
the collection, preservation, and intelligent use of materials from the past
in public agencies or private institutions including historical societies,
museums, archives, media, parks, or preservation offices. Dissemination of
information about these resources also falls into this area, and occurs in
a variety of fields including publishing, editing, filmmaking or web design.
Applied Research: involves the use of history for client-related research where the historian's perspective is valuable in problem solving, policy analysis, litigation, or project histories for businesses, institutions, and government agencies.
Why American University? Our history faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, professors in related departments at American University, and historians and professional staff at Washington, D.C.'s many public and private institutions offer you a challenging and stimulating environment in which to pursue your degree and career. We encourage interdisciplinary study, individually designed programs, and close contact between students and our internationally renowned faculty. In addition, many members of our faculty are practicioners of public history who bring their own experiences into the classroom to enrich students' understanding of the topic. Our two-field MA in public history prepares you for opportunities beyond teaching, enhancing your preparation for positions in museums, parks, archives, film and television studios, and many government agencies.
No city in the country can rival the historical richness of Washington, with its collection of museums, monuments, public agencies, embassies, and government institutions. Guardian of the national heritage, Washington is also a diverse and culturally rich urban community and the center of a thriving metropolitan region that includes the states of Maryland and Virginia. A bustling international city, Washington is also a global intersection where Europeans, Asians, Africans, and Latin Americans interact.
LINKS:
Requirements
for the M.A. in History with a Concentration in Public History
Courses
Spring 2004 Introduction to Public
History Syllabus
Guest Speakers to the Spring 2003 Introduction
to Public History course
Internships
Our Students
Annual Public History Class Projects