Public History and Civic Memory

Catalog description

Public History is history that is seen, heard, read and interpreted by a popular audience. This course will introduce students to public history by investigating how versions of the past are created, institutionalized and disseminated in civic celebrations, memorials and monuments; in popular culture, including television and film; and in our collective memories. Students will examine some of the particular issues confronted by historians who work in public history settings such as museums and historic sites, historic preservation agencies, archives, history-related web sites and documentary film. This course requires students to attend classes off campus multiple times throughout the semester. Requisites: HIS-101 - Recommended prior to taking this course, but is not required.