Introduction to Public History

This course introduces students to public history, a subfield of history that emphasizes the interpretation and preservation of history to a wide audience. This course focuses on the importance of museums, historic preservation efforts, and oral history, while addressing the politics behind public history and popular memory. Assignments require students to apply critical thinking skills and analysis of different forms of historical information made accessible to the public, including films, mass media, historical primary documents, and academic secondary sources. This course helps prepare students for careers in diverse fields, such as public history, government, law, and museum work. Prerequisite(s): HIST 2111 or HIST 2111H or HIST 2112 or HIST 2112H, with a minimum grade of C.