LIS 532I Sites of History
Sites of History examines the practice and theory of public history at an advanced level, for those who plan to apply their academic historical studies in public settings. The seminar focuses on key challenges and issues that professionals confront in engaging the public in meaningful representations of history. We will also examine connections and differences between public historians and academic historians, as seen in particular in small museums, historical societies and history museums (including house museums). Questions we will explore include: How can historians constructively engage public audiences in examining the past? What role does historical research play within public history? How do public historians reconcile the need to attract audiences with standards of scholarly research, or with responsible museum stewardship? What commitment should public historians have to preservation versus innovation? Reading assignments will draw from interdisciplinary scholarship in museum studies, preservation, and public memory as well as history. Through field trips, guest lectures, and group or individual projects, we will take advantage of the abundant sites of history in the Boston area. The seminar's research component requires students to put historical scholarship to "public" use by identifying and investigating a topic that has immediate relevance to the interpretation of history at a public site. The course presumes experience working in a public history setting as well as a strong background in academic history.
Cross Listed Courses
HIST 368, HIST 568