Public History | Upcoming Courses

Summer Session 1: May 22 - June 29, 2017

Instructor: Kathy Franz

Course Description

This course delves into the history and current best practices of curatorial work for public historians. Students use the museum as their learning space and pay special attention to curators' role in building and maintaining the material record of the past through museum collections. The class is split between seminar-style discussions, guest speakers, and hands-on work in the collections.

Summer: May 15 - May 31, 2017

Instructor: Curtin

Course Description

Identification and development of research subjects; sources and their evaluation; research techniques and problems; and writing and argumentation. Students research and write substantial papers based largely on primary sources, with the aim of producing a paper suitable for submission to an academic journal or a professional conference.

Fall 2017 Regular Term

Instructor: Rymsza-Pawlowska

Course Description

This course explores why museums matter and how museums have been transformed alongside larger cultural, social, political, and economic shifts. The course traces the history of American museums, examining how collecting practices, exhibition and design, programming, and community outreach efforts have changed over time. Individual case studies include the Field Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the museums of the Smithsonian Institution.

Fall 2017 Regular Term

Course Description
This course presents the theory, practice, legal and ethical issues, and uses of oral history. Through field work, students gain interviewing, transcription, and analysis skills. Readings and case histories are drawn from modern U.S. history.

Fall 2017 Regular Term

Instructor: Rymsza-Pawlowska

Course Description

With HIST-730, this course is part of a two course sequence introducing students to ideas, debates, and best practices in the field of public history. The course introduces students to the historical origins of public history, the historiography and major paradigms in the field, and to debates about the public role of historians.

Fall 2017 Regular Term

Instructor: Rao

Course Description

Focuses on historical theory, historical methodology, and differences in the various branches of history. Brings together graduate students with various specialties and interests and creates a common base of knowledge and experience.

Fall 2017 Regular Term

Instructor: Friedman

Course Description

Identification and development of research subjects, sources and their evaluation, research techniques and problems, and writing and argumentation. Students research and write substantial papers based largely on primary sources, with the aim of producing a paper suitable for submission to an academic journal or a professional conference.