|
Public History at CNU
What is public history?
Public history is how the public evaluates and perceives the course of human events. It transforms historical research and knowledge so that it reaches a broad, general audience. Public historians disseminate this historical knowledge in public and private settings outside of academia.
How do public historians present historical knowledge to a general public audience?
They work on projects that include museum presentations and exhibitions, television documentaries, historic preservation projects, historical sites interpretation, collection and recording projects (oral history), and historical archaeology.
What types of jobs are in public history?
They include positions such as museum curator or assistant, archivist, historical preservationist, or historical interpreter of national, state, and local organizations and agencies. Many jobs at historical agencies also have positions as writers, researchers, and educators. Public history organizations have been transferring much of their archives and exhibitions to virtual media, including electronic databasing and podcasts. Consequently, many job opportunities are increasing.
What courses should I take?
The Bachelor of Arts degree in history can help prepare students for a career in public history. Students should meet regularly with their advisor to prepare an appropriate course of study. The following courses are recommended:
| |
HIST 435: Public History |
| |
|
| |
This course prepares students to understand the following issues: How is history communicated to the public? How do museums and other public history sites contribute to public memory? How and why do controversies emerge in public history? What is the relationship between academic history and public history? How does tourism impact the practice of public history? What opportunities exist for historians beyond the classroom? This course examines both practical and theoretical issues of public history and prepares students for the increasing employment opportunities available in the public and private sectors. |
| |
|
| |
HIST 348: Introduction to Historical Archaeology |
| |
|
| |
This course examines the principles and practices of historical archaeology using sites dating from 17th- and 18th-century Virginia. This course is a combination of history and archaeology. |
| |
|
| |
HIST 491: Practicum* |
| |
|
| |
The Practicum is a three-credit, semester-long internship working at a historical agency such as a museum, archive, or historical park. This course is a hands-on experience in history and requires: |
| |
|
| |
|
• 140 hours of time distributed over a semester (10 hours per week) |
| |
|
• Keeping a journal of your daily activities at the site |
| |
|
• Writing a paper at the end of the Practicum detailing the state of the field in which you are working |
| |
|
• An evaluation from your agency supervisor assessing your work |
| |
|
|
Enrolling in Practicum is a great way to learn new job skills that can better your chances of finding work after you graduate. Moreover, in connection with CNU's focus on service learning, it is a meaningful opportunity to spend your time giving back to the community by making an impact on how the public understands our nation's history.
*Practicum is offered each semester and over the summer. It does not, however, count toward the history major, but is an elective toward graduation.
Public History Internships
Practicum Forms
For additional information, contact Dr. Sheri M. Shuck-Hall, Program Coordinator.
Cooperating Public History Agencies:
Recent Internships Completed by CNU Students:
I would suggest that every history major should plan to integrate this course (Practicum) into their schedule. — Crystal Willett (08)
Overall, the Practicum experience has been entirely a positive one. I greatly enjoyed moving beyond the classroom in a real world environment and being an active contributor to the community. — Chris Ball (08)
| |
|
|
| Fernando Morgan working on a museum panel at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum in Fort Eustis, Virginia. |
|
CCNU Connect
